E60 Engine Overheat and No Heat--Help!

Car: 2006 BMW 530XI

Situation: A couple times before, the yellow light came on in iDrive saying engine was getting warm and to drive moderately until it cools down, OK no big deal..Well a couple days later it comes on again, but within 2 minutes the red engine overheated light came on. I pulled over, shut car off and had it towed to mechanic friend's house.

Check engine threw code for coolant temperature sensor, so we replaced it. I ordered a thermostat, because the over heating occurred right away again at his house.

He checked the water pump, which he says is working properly now, but at the time was not (there was a broken connection). So now water pump ruled out, but still overheating with no cabin heat.

Next thought: Heater control valve? "Burping" cooling system?

Any help would be appreciated...

How does he know the water pump is working now?
And yes, it actually is a big deal when you get those first set of warnings. The thermostat could be stuck closed, or not getting that signal from the DME to open it up.

Your car is seven yrs old.. water pump is getting close to its final days,, get a new oem thermostat , and water pump..hoses ,belts and pulleys,,,, and have peace of mind that u wont overheat on the road...

I already purchased the new thermostat and sensors..I did not purchase a pump, heater control valve, or hoses etc yet...
I know what you're saying about preventative maintenance on those things since the car has right at 100,000 miles anyways, I just was really hoping to not have to spend a ton of money after shelling out all the cash to buy the car to begin with..guess that's the way it goes!

[Electric] Water pump is a known weak-link on that car '06 530. If that water pump is original, it served it's life. If I were you, I'd replace the water pump.

No heat - is your thermostat stuck closed? Closed meaning that the network of hoses running to the heater core are shutoff from the rest of the primary cooling system.

That is a bad failure mode for these engines as overheating = damage, but running below operating temperature (likely a thermostat stuck open) = reduced fuel economy.

Also, check your coolant level regularly. The cooling systems fail because people don't know to regularly check their coolant level (BMW doesn't list it as a CBS item) and if the coolant gets too low, you will get steam in the system. This causes the upper radiator hose to become brittle and will also cause the plastic to soften on the older impellers in the mechanical pumps. As a result, the plastic impeller will slowly shear off the metal shaft and while the pulley will still spin, the impeller will remain stationary and not pump anything.

I recently had my cooling system overhauled and the water pump looked like new inside. The t-stat was showing its age, but none of the hoses were that bad. Cost me around $1400 for everything except the heater hoses - so while I don't think everything was necessary I got some peace of mind. My car had just over 100k miles when I had this done and I attribute the good condition of many of the parts to regularly checking fluid levels and luck. I bet the original water pump would have lasted the life of the vehicle.

Originally Posted by dwlink

Cost me around $1400 for everything except the heater hoses - so while I don't think everything was necessary I got some peace of mind.

Peace of mind is EXACTLY what I am looking for. The car I had before this 530xi was always giving me fits with cooling system issues, then battery issues etc. I owned 4 cars, but I decided to thin out the herd and go with something "reliable" so I got the BMW.

You're right I think I need to suck it up and go ahead and replace the stuff you mentioned and have that peace of mind that I can make it to work every day and back without fear of overheating or freezing inside the car in the winter time!

I already have the therm and the 2 sensors, so I guess I'll go ahead and get the rest of it and call it a day as long as my mechanic buddy doesn't happen to call me this afternoon and she's all better.. Heck, I might just do it anyways..

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice I am VERY new to the world of BMW's. I've owned domestics my whole life..I want my experience w BMW to be a great one. I'd love to have a new favorite make of vehicle. I'll update as soon as I get some more info..and I'm sure I'll have many more questions and posts in the future.. Thanks again everyone!

I had a similar issue in mine, minus the warnings. Found out it was a bad t-stat and the coolant temp sensor was bad. Went ahead and got the pump, tstat, and lower hose/coolant temp sensor replaced. All is well now. Only cost me $600 from my indy.