2007 E70 Overheating???

2007 E70 3.0 - After 25 miles of tollway driving in 78 degree weather, turned onto city arterial, less 10 minutes got orange overheat warning then red. Fan was running at high speed. Pulled over, opened hood but no evidence engine was overheated. Top engine cover was not as warm as expected for normal conditions. Touched radiator in front of fan, not hot. Slowly opened reservoir, hissed a little, but when opened, no steam, no boiling, water level good. Like most problems I've had with BMW's, especially this one, I think it is the sensor. Any history of this?

I operate cars in AZ, so I know this stuff. I would suspect a sensor given the fan works, that is ALL electric fans, thermostat is not stuck closed, and water is at level. This is all about water flow, through radiator, block, and air across radiator by speed about 40 MPH or fans.

I think the Water pump is also electric and if that failed, you will melt you engine which will not be covered by any kind of warranty.

Good point if the pump is electric, note my comment on water flow. If it was cool at highway sepped, then overheated when driving slow or stopped, this is likley an airflow issue.

Originally Posted by boatpi

Good point if the pump is electric, note my comment on water flow. If it was cool at highway sepped, then overheated when driving slow or stopped, this is likley an airflow issue.

If Electric Water pump is not working then there is NO flow of Engine Coolant! That this point when coolant is NOT in a flow and is stand STILL, any air flow will not have any consequence.

Turned out, according to the codes, to be a failed/failing electric water pump. The electronic thermostat apparently moves itself beyond its normal open position in a last ditch effort to save the overheating engine (or something like that) and destroys itself. Replaced both to fix. Electric water pump, electronic thermostat...dead at 65K miles...another example of BMWs advanced computer engineering thinking and not so advanced implementation capability...IMHO.

Originally Posted by dbelote

Turned out, according to the codes, to be a failed/failing electric water pump. The electronic thermostat apparently moves itself beyond its normal open position in a last ditch effort to save the overheating engine (or something like that) and destroys itself. Replaced both to fix. Electric water pump, electronic thermostat...dead at 65K miles...another example of BMWs advanced computer engineering thinking and not so advanced implementation capability...IMHO.

You are assuming that what the mechanic (was this a BMW SA?) told you is actually true.

I've never heard of a sensor 'moving beyond normal open in a last ditch attempt and destroying itself'

Oh, the water pump for your car is mechanically belt driven....

My wife's X5 just started getting hot. The fan comes on really loud and stays on 90% of the time. The engine temp high sign came on earlier today and went out according to my wife.
I checked the coolant level and it was low so I put about 1 L of distilled water to top it off but the loud fan still comes on when the engine is on. I drove to the mechanic who was about 2 miles away and the engine temp high sign did not come on although the extra loud fan was on the whole time.

2007 X5 3.0 is w/ 68K miles.

Originally Posted by ard

You are assuming that what the mechanic (was this a BMW SA?) told you is actually true.

I've never heard of a sensor 'moving beyond normal open in a last ditch attempt and destroying itself'

Oh, the water pump for your car is mechanically belt driven....

Actually just had similar mis-fortune happened to my 08 3.0si. Fortunately I was able to stop right away and had her towed to the garage.

Looking at the failed waterpump, I do have a feeling that it's indeed electronic.

Needless to say, I'm not amused by the failure of the pump at the age of ~3yrs and merely 38k km! What makes the matter worse is that there is no sign/warning whatsoever. I want my freaking analog water temperature gauge back!!!

It is electronic. It was replaced by dealer for $50 deductible under CPO warranty.
The bill without warranty would have been about $700. Part alone is $500.
If the fan starts to run really hard that's the sign the pump failed.

An electric water pump? Why? Just another very expensive part to fail when a mechanical pump would (should) last until the packing fails and it begins to leak, still never losing the coolant moving capability. Well, I guess it probably saves a hp or two, but at what cost?

Since it is electronic the computer should just tell it is a failed water pump. But the iDrive display didn't show that. The diagnostic computer did however. So it is easier to diagnose.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

An electric water pump? Why? Just another very expensive part to fail when a mechanical pump would (should) last until the packing fails and it begins to leak, still never losing the coolant moving capability. Well, I guess it probably saves a hp or two, but at what cost?

Well, given mine was abt. 3yr and 38k KM old, I fail to see the benefit of technological evolution.

I am surprised not every water pump failed on 2007 X5.

Originally Posted by edhchoe

Since it is electronic the computer should just tell it is a failed water pump. But the iDrive display didn't show that. The diagnostic computer did however. So it is easier to diagnose.

That's what really ticked me off. No sign, no gauge to tell me how hot the water was running, let alone giving me the idea that water temperature was RISING!

Boom, just a freaking message saying that the engine is overheating. In fact, the message came out probably 30 seconds AFTER I 'heard' this loud fan running and BEFORE I figure out how to deal w/ that fan noise...

This is my 5th BMW and I've always respected the engineering of BMW but this time I'm utterly disappointed!

The e46 sedan my wife had before the x5 was more reliable. It only needed cam angle sensor in 8 years of ownership. And I replaced it myself at home. Part cost $105.

This just happened to me yesterday without warning. I am at 64k miles and have an '07 3.0 X5. I basically lost power, yellow indicator popped up and told me to slow down and drive moderately. Fan was running like crazy. Prior to this though I heard what sounded like a small whining noise tha I believe was a bearing.

Then after pulling over, waiting 15 minutes, and trying to get back on the road, I get the red message that the engine is overheated and the fan is running at Mach 2.

A call to roadside assist later, and a tow with a guy named Bucky, I'm on my way back to where I came from to drop the car off at the dealer. Fortunately car is CPO so hopefully everything is covered.

Funny thing is in my e53 that I owned prior to this, I had the water pump replaced at 100k on my own dime to prevent this issue. 64k miles is a little early especially for a part that has been known to fail for so long. When I did the replacement on the last one, i purposely told my Indy not to use the OEM one with plastic impeller and use the metal one instead. Therefore at 115k miles this time around, I'll likely swap this replacement as well.

Wow. I wonder what percentage of these cars are having the same problem with the water pump. If they used the same pump it will fail around 130k miles which means the car will be out of CPO warranty. I will have to pay $700.

mine just overheated tonight. Fan running like crazy then message saying it's overheated. It's going to the dealership tomorrow and it's probably the water pump like other posters mentioned.

What sort of mileage are these pumps failing at? I'd rather replace it before it fails than get stranded on the road somewhere.

Originally Posted by blue dragon

What sort of mileage are these pumps failing at? I'd rather replace it before it fails than get stranded on the road somewhere.

mine has 43k and others said theirs were around 60k. I guess its a good preventive maintenance to replace it even before it breaks since it will leave you stranded on the highway when it breaks. Like what happened to me last night, in the middle of nowhere (dark and cold) warning came up and engine stopped and to make it worst battery discharged real quick after leaving flashers on. We need to make a poll as to the mileage when those who have broken waterpumps happened.

I'm a DYI guy...not so much for the $'s but for the experience...
Just had an overheating experience this morning. No heat when I would normally expect it and then several more miles down the road I got the 'Drive Moderately...warning'. I checked the fluid in the resevoir, lines and cap were cool to the touch, and it looked to be at an ok level. I let things cool a bit, 21 degrees F this morning, and then drove it home. Now I look at the coolant level again and it was very low. I would like to bleed the air from the system to make sure the radiator is full, since their is no radiator cap that I can find... How do I do this?

Lost our water pump last spring at 50k miles. Stranded on the highway on Sunday. The engine just shut down to prevent damage. Now I know why I have BMW assist.

Sent from my DROIDX using Bimmer

Mine went out at 68K. I could see it starting to leak but didn't realize it was the water pump. To replace it is a very in depth project but I've had fun. I feel like I can take anything apart and put it back together again...it seems like the whole front end of the car was off. Replaced the termostat at the same time since it is way down in there too...

I have an appointment at the dealership to fix a lot of things right before my warranty is up…. should I ask them to check this? If so, how would they check this?