540i Lack of Heat

[Stratobeemer]

540i Lack of Heat & Steeming out of Filler Cap

Hey everyone,

I am new to the forum and I used the search function to help get to the bottom of this but I am not sure what the story is. 2000 540i that gets no heat, but it does blow cold air when I am not moving. I get moving and the heat is great. The other day my "Check Coolant Level" message came on and I curious if that has anything to do with it. I just got this car about a month ago and am new to the BMW world, so I apologize if this is a stupid question. Please let me know if I can remedy this on my own or do I have to get the coolant/heater stuff fixed at a dealer. Thanks guys.

strato

 

[epj3]

Yes it has everything to do with it - the coolant is obviously what cools the engine, but it also is ran through a second radiator to give you heat. If the level is too low, or there is air in those lines -- you get no heat. You can do this on your own by picking up some antifreeze and adding it into the tank (with an equal amount of water.) Sounds like you're going to have to bleed the system though, which hopefully someone with an E39 could tell you how to do that. That shouldn't be hard, either.

 

[Stratobeemer]

Thanks epj3,
I will take care of the antifreeze thing on my own and just wait for someone to drop me a hint on how to bleed the system. Thanks again.

Ok, I added 50/50 coolant-antifreeze & water mixture and now the car is steaming every time I shut it down. After driving for a few minutes and then coming back to my house, it is steaming out of the filler cap and I am not sure what that means. Help please. I really don't want to have to take it to the dealer if I don't have to. Thank you.

 

[Stratobeemer]

Problem solved,

crack in the rad = loss of coolant and level light statement...thank god for warrenties.