Car overheating

[dvno]

2011 135i MSport with DCT. ~31k miles. No more factory warranty (bought extended warranty- not service plan).

A few weeks ago I was driving back home from visiting my parents (280 mile trip), and about an hour into the trip, my car told me that the engine was overheating and to drive moderately. I slowed from 80 (speed limit on the toll) to about 60. A minute or two later, the warning went from yellow to red and essentially went limp. I turned the car off, turned it back on like 15 minutes later and the warning was gone. I resumed driving- 70 or so, and a little while later- the same thing happened. Eventually I turned on the heater and rolled the windows down and was able to drive another 2 hours or so with no issues.

Now, all of my driving is short trips through the city these days and I hadn't run into any problems since. However, the other day I was driving for about 30 minutes when the car did the same thing, yellow- then red. Speed for most of the trip was about 60. Turned off and then back on, no issues. Drove home that day, 30 minutes later- same issue.

Today, having to drive for an hour up the highway, I'm nervous. I run into traffic (average speed was around 20mph), traffic slowed down to a crawl- I make a joke about that being the perfect time for my car to act up- and low and behold, exactly 30 minutes later- the car tells me the engine overheats. I turn off and back on (within seconds), and I'm on my way. 30 minutes later- again.

Suffice it to say, it's a very strange occurrence. Any thoughts? Obviously to have it looked at- but any other feedback would be tremendous.

[Dackelone]

Bad water pump and/or thermostat. Does your radiator fan stuck on high speed? IF so its definately your water pump. Scan and check for thrown codes.

[E82MSport]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Bad water pump and/or thermostat. Does your radiator fan stuck on high speed? IF so its definately your water pump. Scan and check for thrown codes.

+1^^ geez Dack you seem to be in all these posts below

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ht=overheating

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ht=overheating

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798195

This is a great thread/DIY .. once again thanks to Dack
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...7#post15632917

[dvno]

Great info- thanks!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Same thing happened with my car -> bad water pump

[ParkNuts]

Same here. Fan was running all the time and went into limp mode a couple times. Water pump crapped out.

[TUN3D]

dvno > My fan took a dump -- kept blowing fuses. As a result, car would overheat every-time. See if the fan runs at all -- if it does -- then yeah...water pump.