Urgent: Coolant, CEL, Temp Gauge, -30C

TheGodfather · #1 11-23-2010, 05:19 PM

Okay guys, I have been flooding the forum with mutiple posts the last couple of days, and something else has come up, it seems the X5 is going to hell it seems.

- Engine temp gauge shoots to red shortly after driving, then resets to "normal" when car is restarted.

- Coolant is low

- CEL light came on after starting/driving 3mins

- Smells like gasoline inside cabin since this morning

- I parked the car, and now I am stranded at the University.

1. Can I top the coolant off with some non recommended brand for now? To at least get to a mechanic.

2. Does low coolant trigger the CEL in a 2004 3.0

3. What the hell is happening, are the above symptoms related?

Thanks

StartX5 · #2 11-23-2010, 05:42 PM

If i were you, i bring my X to either indy or dealer to take a look if i can't find it myself. As I mentioned in others posts, you should check thermostat, water pump, coolant temp. sensor, any leak of your coolant system, oxygen sensor, drive belts etc.

TheGodfather · #3 11-23-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StartX5

If i were you, i bring my X to either indy or dealer to take a look if i can't find it myself. As I mentioned in others posts, you should check thermostat, water pump, coolant temp. sensor, any leak of your coolant system, oxygen sensor, drive belts etc.

I agree.

However dealer is out of the question, as none exists in Lethbridge.

Indy, maybe, however I would like to know if I can drive it over to the indy and not pay for a tow truck to take the X there. Thats why I am inquiring about the non recommended coolant.

It seems pretty clear to me that the thermostat is shot.

Now the only issue is whether it is stuck open or closed, and whether this is going to cause engine damage in the short term by driving the vehicle.

My plan is to top up the coolant, and drive to a mechanic to have the code read. Then go from there.

TheGodfather · #4 11-23-2010, 07:02 PM

Could this be a coolant temperature sensor as opposed to the thermostat?

I am taking the car in tomorrow, and the mechanic I called suggested it may be the coolant temperature sensor rather than the thermostat due to the fact that the gauge resets when I restart the car (when it its red)

Any thoughts?

mywidebody02 · #5 11-23-2010, 07:16 PM

if its just to get to the indy prob fill with water.

Weasel · #6 11-23-2010, 08:42 PM

I agree with just using water to get to the shop, but when you top it off unscrew the black plastic bleed screw before adding the water and fill it till water/coolant comes from both holes. And do NOT over-tighten it when putting it back on as it is still just plastic and the head can break off, just be careful and remember it is plastic.

Also you can take a quick look at the temp sensors if you want. The one on the lower radiator hose likes to leak after so many years, and the one on the engine is a pain to get to, under the back end of the intake manifold... so no easy way to check that one.

JCL · #7 11-23-2010, 10:28 PM

You are working on this in a parking lot, outdoors, at -30C? Forget it. Call a towtruck and get it delivered to your indy. Going cheap is just going to cost you more. Things break at those temperatures because they get brittle. You don't want to be bleeding coolant circuits, for example, and air in it is likely more of a problem that the level itself.

TheGodfather · #8 11-23-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

You are working on this in a parking lot, outdoors, at -30C? Forget it. Call a towtruck and get it delivered to your indy. Going cheap is just going to cost you more. Things break at those temperatures because they get brittle. You don't want to be bleeding coolant circuits, for example, and air in it is likely more of a problem that the level itself.

Crap !! Too late, see above post.

I am going to garage it over night (not my garage) and drive it over to the mech at 10am tomorrow.

TheGodfather · #9 11-23-2010, 10:30 PM

Thanks guys,

Weasel, unfortunately I did not wait expert advice and I filled up with a premixed 50/50 coolant.

The bad part is that I overfilled (the red plunger is above the fill hole) and I did not open the bleed screw (i assume that is what you were describing.

How do I get rid of the excess coolant? Is it too late to do a bleed now?

Thank you for your response!

Weasel · #10 11-24-2010, 01:06 AM

I was just saying to pull the bleed screw out in case there is an air pocket in the system. Now the easiest way would be to loosen the screw partially and start it, then tighten it back when coolant comes out. And it it is below freezing up there then you did good with the coolant... it was 78F down here today!