My 1999 bmw 323ic gets red hot when sitting in traffic.....months ago it got so hot the radiator exploded. i replaced the radiator, thermostat, and fan. the inedicator on the temp gauge still goes to red hot.....and ideas please?? I love car but its frustrating if i cant fix it gona have to dmp it thanks

hi chris does your car have electric fan or viscous. u say it heats up in traffic.If its electric fan can u here when it comes on.

Check for air in the system that would do it or your water pump

IF your sitting in stop and go traffic with the AC on it will over heat and if the water Pump is weak or about to go out it will overheat. Try having the system power flushed and see if that helps and make sure you are using a 50/50 mix of Antifreeze instead of straight water in the radiator. Also try replacing the radiator cap a weak spring in the cap will allow the water into the overflow bottle too soon causing over flow.

CHECK ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL.IF OKAY.CHECK BOTH RADIATOR HOSES BOTH SHOULD BE HOT. IF THERMOSTAT TOP HOSE NOT HOT YOU HAVE A FAULTY THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP IF RADIATOR HOSES HOT AND THERMOSTAT OKAY.IF ENGINE OVERHEATING WHILE CAR SITTING IN A LONG TRAFFIC LINE COOLANT FANS NOT RUNNING.THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR IS BAD OR YOU HAVE FAULTY FUSE OR RELAY.THE FAN MOTOR DEFECTIVE, WIRES AT MOTOR HAS A SHORT OR PCM FAILURE DEAD DRIVE CIRCUIT TO FAN.

there may be air trapped in the coolant system. the fans may not be connected since you had the radiator replaced. bring it back to the mechanic who did the work and tell him your not satisfied.he should be responsible for the discrepany.

Did You Replace the (FAN CLUTCH) or just the FAN ? Sounds Like FAN CLUTCH Problem, os long as Coolant Level is FULL , There ALSO May be An OBSTRUCTION in RADIATOR , Check in Front of Radiator for Debris and CLEAR ANY that May be There.

Have you had your radiator flushed lately. It might need to be flushed out or add coolant. The other thing might be that the thermostat needs to be sticking and needs to be replaced.........Thank You for using Fixya.com.....: )

THERMOSTAT FAULTY...OR ELECTIC COOLING FAN FOR THE RADIATOR...HOPE I WAS OF SOME HELP TO YOU.....

you can check if the water pump is working by feeling the top rad hose , if it is hot it should circulate into the rad and the rad should be hot at the top and cool at the bottom if the pump is faulty there will be no circulation of hot coolant into the rad. I suspect your head gasket might be blown if you are getting pressure built up in the rad. in that case you will need a new gasket and have your head skimmed

Sounds like the radiator is clogged up. I would try to flush it or, replace it.
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