Radiator fan randomly goes full speed

ek9hatch00 · 01-27-2014, 09:26 AM

I searched around to see whether anyone else is getting the same issue as I am but no luck. I have a 2007 x3 (n52) and recently it starting having what it seems to be a water pump issue. The fan would randomly turn on to full speed after driving for about 10-20 mins. The air inside the car will slowly turn into cold car even though the settings on high heat. The are no warning lights on the dash and the water temp. gauge usually stays in the middle so it's not really over heating. The water temp. only went up towards the red part once, but I drove straight home and haven't been able to replicate the overheating.

The only thing that I find weird is that if I shut off the engine and turn it back on, everything will go back to normal and the heat will slowly come back inside the car. I am not sure whether I should change out the water pump and thermostat or if it's something else.

Any inputs would be appreciated.

Eric.

Delta0311 · 01-27-2014, 09:37 AM

How many miles do you have? Yeah it does sound like your water pump is going out. If you are over 80k miles I'd get it replaced soon.

ek9hatch00 · 01-27-2014, 09:41 AM

just under 61k miles.

Delta0311 · 01-27-2014, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ek9hatch00

just under 61k miles.

And you are talking about the radiator fan here right? A lot of guys on here where seeing an issue with their fans running at full speed randomly. In all cases it was a water pump failing.

mike-y · 01-27-2014, 09:58 AM

intermittant failure, same thing happened to me. I recommend not driving it if possible, and get an appointment from your local shop to replace the pump and the thermostat asap before it fails completely.

Expect to spend around $1,000.

Delta0311 · 01-27-2014, 11:49 AM

If you want to save on cost order the parts online and get an independent mechanic to do it for you.

ek9hatch00 · 01-27-2014, 12:12 PM

I just ordered the thermostat and water pump. Going to install them myself...hopefully that will solve the problem

Dylanize · 01-27-2014, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ek9hatch00

I just ordered the thermostat and water pump. Going to install them myself...hopefully that will solve the problem

Keep us updated on the whole process, I may have the same issue, would be nice to see how the DIY goes.

Thanks, Good luck!

Three_thirty_I · 01-27-2014, 05:38 PM

Quite a handy DIY thread here...

mthomas · 01-28-2014, 12:03 AM

Do the oil filter housing gasket at the same time, and save having to open the cooling system a second time a year from now.

ek9hatch00 · 01-28-2014, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mthomas

Do the oil filter housing gasket at the same time, and save having to open the cooling system a second time a year from now.

Just ordered the gasket too. Thanks for the heads up.

ek9hatch00 · 02-18-2014, 01:24 PM

Got everything changed and have been driving the car for a week now. No issues so far. The process was pretty straight forward and simple...the only hard part was reaching all of the hose clamps and bolts.

Thanks for the help guys.

01-27-2014, 09:26 AM	#1
ek9hatch00 Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 254 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [0.00]	Radiator fan randomly goes full speed I searched around to see whether anyone else is getting the same issue as I am but no luck. I have a 2007 x3 (n52) and recently it starting having what it seems to be a water pump issue. The fan would randomly turn on to full speed after driving for about 10-20 mins. The air inside the car will slowly turn into cold car even though the settings on high heat. The are no warning lights on the dash and the water temp. gauge usually stays in the middle so it's not really over heating. The water temp. only went up towards the red part once, but I drove straight home and haven't been able to replicate the overheating. The only thing that I find weird is that if I shut off the engine and turn it back on, everything will go back to normal and the heat will slowly come back inside the car. I am not sure whether I should change out the water pump and thermostat or if it's something else. Any inputs would be appreciated. Eric.
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01-27-2014, 09:37 AM	#2
Delta0311 Banned 7478 Rep 10,120 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	How many miles do you have? Yeah it does sound like your water pump is going out. If you are over 80k miles I'd get it replaced soon.
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01-27-2014, 09:41 AM	#3
ek9hatch00 Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 254 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [0.00]	just under 61k miles.
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01-27-2014, 09:58 AM	#5
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	intermittant failure, same thing happened to me. I recommend not driving it if possible, and get an appointment from your local shop to replace the pump and the thermostat asap before it fails completely. Expect to spend around $1,000.
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01-27-2014, 11:49 AM	#6
Delta0311 Banned 7478 Rep 10,120 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	If you want to save on cost order the parts online and get an independent mechanic to do it for you.
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01-27-2014, 12:12 PM	#7
ek9hatch00 Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 254 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [0.00]	I just ordered the thermostat and water pump. Going to install them myself...hopefully that will solve the problem
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01-27-2014, 05:38 PM	#9
Three_thirty_I Lieutenant Colonel 200 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: '05 E90 330i Manual Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	Quite a handy DIY thread here... __________________ BMW E90 330i (M) '05 (His) \| (Hers) BMW E46 320i f/l (M) '03
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01-28-2014, 12:03 AM	#10
mthomas Private First Class 5 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: lNorth Shore, Lake Tahoe iTrader: (0)	Do the oil filter housing gasket at the same time, and save having to open the cooling system a second time a year from now.
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02-18-2014, 01:24 PM	#12
ek9hatch00 Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 254 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [0.00]	Got everything changed and have been driving the car for a week now. No issues so far. The process was pretty straight forward and simple...the only hard part was reaching all of the hose clamps and bolts. Thanks for the help guys.
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