E55 Overheating?

[S2 PTH]

My Dad's had his E55 for a few months now and recently its started overheating on him, to the extent that it cuts out! He said his old E430 used to overheat a bit, but this is worse. He had to get towed the other day!

Also, if he stops to let it cool for 30min it's absolutely fine! Not so fine when you're on the M25 in morning rush hour though!


Anyone experienced this before? Its a 1999 (UK T-reg) E55 Estate, with a full service history and only 60k miles. So not a dog....!


Thanks in advance,

Phil

[Musikmann]

How high does the temperature gauge read when it cuts out? From what I've read, that sounds like he might have a bad crankshaft position sensor (stalls when warm/hot but starts and runs fine when it cools down).

[Tacjam]

Sunds like the therostat is not opening. Also check the coolant level.

[andy380SEC]

the temp gauge can read up to 110. Mine never reads above 100 even in the 115+ heat of arizona. So if its not physically heating up to the red mark, its not a cooling problem. Especially in Britan.. if my car is fine in AZ.

I agree with musikmann, change out the Crankshaft position sensor. Its not very expensive... at least not here anyway. I still have this problem, how ever its completely indescriminate as to the temps engine/outsideand or running time. So were begining to think my problem is a wiring harness.

I would suspect something electric. the electrics is this cars only acheilies heel.

[FrankiE55]

I have found that if stuck in traffic mine will climb to the 90 tick mark, once I start driving it goes back down to 80. One thing to try is turn on the air con and see if the auxiliary cooling fan A.) comes on and B.) provides additional cooling. Your fan temp sensor could be bad, or the fan switch (they could be one in the same on this car). Or the fan(s) could be bad. Make sure you have enough coolant as well.