The Best Shop to Service an Overheated BMW in Santa Barbara

10 Feb, 21

A benefit to owning a BMW is that you experience few serious issues when you keep up regular maintenance and engine care in order to preserve its integrity. Occasional problems can arise even with a high-quality standard of care, but they can be identified and handled quickly when its owner knows the possible causes and warning signs.

One common dilemma that can crop up now and then in your BMW is an overheated engine, especially during the hotter months of the year. When left unaddressed, overheating can lead to costly or irreparable damage, but you can try to prevent it when you understand more about what to expect. Even once you’ve identified the problem, it’s important to have your car inspected by a BMW-certified professional mechanic capable of maintaining and repairing them.

Signs and Causes of an Engine Overheating in a BMW

If you’re a BMW owner, there are a variety of signs of an overheated engine to be aware of. After you’ve noticed one or more of these signs in your own vehicle, take it in to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Engine Overheating Light

Your state-of-the-art BMW is equipped with an engine warning light capable of giving its driver an accurate reading of the engine’s temperature. This light will illuminate if the engine exceeds the maximum safe temperature that it’s able to sustain while running efficiently.

Hot Car Hood

When you lay your hand on your car’s hood for 10 seconds and it’s too hot to touch, the engine is more likely than not overheating.

Coolant Leak

Your engine uses coolant to regulate its temperature, and it has to work harder during the warmer months of the year to keep that temperature at a regular level. When coolant is leaking from the engine, you may notice wet spots, usually blue or green in a BMW, under your car.

Steam From the Hood

When the coolant inside of your engine starts to boil, it causes steam to release. This can escape from the hood of your car and is a clear indicator of overheating.

Unusual Sounds

If there is a defect in the car’s thermostat, it will disrupt the flow of coolant between the radiator and engine. This can result in a loud thumping noise when the car is running. The engine is also coated with a lubricative engine oil that causes a ticking noise when running too hot.

Clogged Cooling System

Over time, natural buildup of debris and dirt can prevent coolant from flowing through the engine, causing overheating.

Unusual Smells

You may notice an oddly sweet scent coming from the engine bay as most coolant resembling pancake syrup. This can be the result of a worn or cracked water pump.

High Temperature Gauge

On your dashboard, there is a temperature gauge that will indicate excessive engine heat by going over the red line or hovering near the top of the gauge.

How to Prevent Engine Overheating in a BMW

The single best way to prevent your engine from overheating is the BMW-recommended standard of regular maintenance and care. Beyond this, it’s imperative that you ensure your engine’s cooling system is in high-quality working condition by ensuring you’re using the correct type of coolant, regularly checking coolant levels, and keeping an eye out for the above warning signs.

It’s vital that you entrust your quality vehicle to the care of a certified BMW specialist as each make and model are uniquely engineered and require specialized care. If you suspect that your engine is overheating, you must contact an experienced technician possessing the tools and supplies needed to correctly identify the engine’s problem, whether it be one of the causes listed or another more particular one.

Santa Barbara’s premier German automotive facility is Santa Barbara Autowerks. We are committed to not only delivering the highest quality German auto repair and maintenance in the area but also the most memorable customer service experience.

Whether it be diagnosing a problem with your engine’s cooling system or routine services and maintenance work, our BMW specialists at Santa Barbara’s Autowerks know that quality service involves checking the car as a whole. For years, we have remained Santa Barbara’s number one most trusted BMW service center. Call us today for an appointment.