Overheating (not coolant)

[Dathaeus]

So recently my car guest began taking longer to start...

Now on the past couple of days, it's overheating... Goes to the middle of the temperature gauge within about 10-15 minutes of driving and then in the last 5-9 minutes it's start smoking when I'm just getting home.

Oil and coolant are fine.

The overheating now gets so bad that is smoking, what seems to be from the left side of this ATF knob... Not sure if that helps. It continued to smoke for about 5-9 minutes after i turn it off.

I did have some issue like this couple years ago, and can't remember exactly what caused it, but remember in the end it caused my car to lose power and had to replace a couple of small ballast kind of units (forgot the name) that goes near the spark plugs i think and then it was all fixed.

Are there any other troubleshooting steps before i call the mechanic?

(I've had zero issues otherwise and right now the car drives fine)

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[John in VA]

Clogged catalytic converter?

[Oli77]

Take a pic of the engine bay showing were the smoke is coming from. Could you be leaking oil onto the exhaust?
Are you smelling oil burn?
How do you know it is overheating?

[Dathaeus]

Clogged catalytic converter?How could i test for that, common issue?

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[John in VA]

https://knowhow.napaonline.com/worn-out-catalytic-converter-heres-how-to-know-for-sure/
https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/How-to-Test-a-Bad-Catalytic-Converter

[Dathaeus]

Take a pic of the engine bay showing were the smoke is coming from. Could you be leaking oil onto the exhaust?
Are you smelling oil burn?
How do you know it is overheating?Of course it overheated again now but no smoke at all this time, and i couldn't bring myself to drive the car harder just to make it smoke, so again it's coming just from the left of the ATF cap, it was hard to pinpoint exactly the origin when i did look the other day.

I smell some burn with the smoke, not i am no expert in which burn smells like what's exactly burning unfortunately.



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[Dathaeus]

So nothing else i can check here? Just to have bring to the shop?

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[Oli77]

Sorry to ask again, but how do you know it is overheating?
Are you reading coolant temperature from the on board menu, or is the temperature gauge going in the red?
Clearly don't drive it if this is the case.

[Dathaeus]

Sorry to ask again, but how do you know it is overheating?
Are you reading coolant temperature from the on board menu, or is the temperature gauge going in the red?
Clearly don't drive it if this is the case.It's the temp gauge going into the red...

I didn't know there was a menu that shows exact coolant temp?

Right now i have to get to work, gave no choice... Luckily one of my work locations is so close it doesn't go red... My other work location is just far enough away that it goes into the red for about 5 minutes before i get there.

Recently there been no smoke when i drive conservatively while getting from A to B efficiently.

I have no idea what what i can check.

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[John in VA]

Time to take it to a pro.

[Dathaeus]

Time to take it to a pro.Having one of my guys coming later, said maybe the fan stopped working, or the radiator... I replaced the radiator 2 years ago at a legit shop along with all the stuff around it when i had the overheat issue back then. (See image)

Big update though, i tried turning the heater on max before i heard before that would alleviate some heat away from the engine area, and no heat at all... It's like 75F here and the air blowing is just about the same temp... So the heater is not working. The AC was still working last time i checked.

(Fan is running)
https://youtu.be/L8gWdNy-BwI?si=YZOv1yjTeSKsiTmQhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231101/1762d02fd5a8e9051fd1f13c01661ead.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231101/0028a23200e28294b568a8141714b558.jpg

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[Fried_Chicken]

Maybe the thermostat is bad.

Is your fan kicking on? I'mgetting suspicious of mine right now.

Also your power steering reservoir is nasty.

[Dathaeus]

Maybe the thermostat is bad.

Is your fan kicking on? I'mgetting suspicious of mine right now.

Also your power steering reservoir is nasty.A bad thermostat can cause smoking?

Yes, not sure if you can see from the video but it's spinning, unless you mean a different fan.

Why is the reservoir nasty... Maybe the smoke that was coming out during this overheating has covered it in soot or... I know i never spilled or dropped any oil on it

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[John in VA]

Why is the reservoir nasty... Maybe the smoke that was coming out during this overheating has covered it in soot or... I know i never spilled or dropped any oil on it
There is a weep hole at the end of one of the ribs of the power steering cap - fluid comes out there. You can block it with a Q-tip, or put a sock over the reservoir.

[Oli77]

Yes, that was my first mod! The sock trick! I believe this was a Dane special.

[Dathaeus]

There is a weep hole at the end of one of the ribs of the power steering cap - fluid comes out there. You can block it with a Q-tip, or put a sock over the reservoir.

I see videos on that, ok got it....
Whats the best way to clean this also, this type of fluid, off my surface?

And back to the OP....

So got results on 2 codes:

1. 278B (Engine coolant temp sensor)
2. 2790 (Radiator outlet temp)

He tested the current around the sensor and coolant fan, and said he does not hear the fan but the sensor should be working fine.

So he said I should get a new fan, and can also get a sensor if I choose to do so in case it is getting damaged now from all the overheating or to preempt any further issues while he is in there in the same area anyways, he said about extra $50 labor.

So first, is this the right course, and if so, should I just get both done? Lets see the cost.....

Amazon $108, good ratings but obviously some disgruntled customers
https://www.amazon.com/TOPAZ-17117561757-Radiator-Cooling-Assembly/dp/B06WGR7QG2/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=e46+radiator+fan&qid=1699133826&refinements=p_72%3A1248861011&rnid=1248859011&s=automotive&sr=1-2

FCP $290
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-auxiliary-fan-assembly-e46-cool-xpert-17117561757

ECS $190
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-hamburg-tech-parts/auxiliary-fan-assembly/17117561757~ham/

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Sensor

Amazon $10
https://www.amazon.com/Dade-Replacement-Temperature-Radiator-13621433077/dp/B01FU9H9PO/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=126MAW43HYHI0&keywords=e46+coolant+temperature+sensor&qid=1699134215&refinements=p_72%3A1248861011&rnid=1248859011&s=automotive&sprefix=e46+coolant+temperature+sensor%2Caps%2C135&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

FCP $13
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-engine-coolant-temperature-sensor-vemo-13621433076
FCP $24
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-engine-coolant-temperature-sensor-vemo-13621433077

ECS $15
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-febi-parts/temperature-sensor/13621433076~feb/

[John in VA]

I'd get the CoolXpert fan and whichever Vemo sensor is correct for your car (you have 2 different parts shown) from FCPEuro. I've used a CoolXpert fan from FCP with no issues. You also have their lifetime replacement warranty.

[Dathaeus]

I'd get the CoolXpert fan and whichever Vemo sensor is correct for your car (you have 2 different parts shown) from FCPEuro. I've used a CoolXpert fan from FCP with no issues. You also have their lifetime replacement warranty.

I guess double the price is worth it huh... ok

And the sensor they both say its for this model, but says it differently

2003 BMW 330i Base Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
Temperature sensor for oil/water: 1 at cylinder head and 1 at oil filter housing

and the other:

2003 BMW 330i Engine Cooling Fan Clutch Switch

Which is correct?