Overheated engine warning: car stopped
 

Hi,
My 07 X5 can only ran about 10 minutes. Then I heard loud noise like the fan running crazy. The warning message on the console telling me that the engine is overheated and the car must stop. I must not open the hood ...
What happens?
What can I do now?
I am using the plastic (spare/valet) key and is that because of it?

Please help!

Thanks.

The key is not an issue.

The issue is your failed water pump which seems to be a common problem

You need to get the car TOWED to a qualified mechanic. Driving with a failed pump will lead to $$$Huge costs.

Curious about mileage
 

Sorry to hear about your plight.

I own a 3 liter '08 model with 50k miles on the clock, and contemplating fitting a a new water pump as a preemptive strike. Just not certain at what mileage to achieve before making my move.

How many miles are on your '07, please?

Thank you,
Dick

48,000 and rarely used. Only driven about 15 miles a day.

can it be a fuse or something similar that broken and need a quick fix? I believe water pump is electronically powered?

Possible, but unlikely. But the first thing to do in any overheating situation is to check the coolant level (after it has cooled down) and look for leaks if it is low.

Electric water pump failures on BMWs are not rare. If a fuse, or fusible link (not sure which BMW has) fails, it likely is due to the pump taking to high of a current, which is another sign of a pump in the process of failing. Rarely do high amperage fuses/links fail for no reason, and I would assume the waterpump is rather high amperage.