over heating problem

Hi need some help
I have a P38 with a over heating problem, I have just had a new head gasket fitted by my local garage. it seems that there was an issue when I bough the car in feb this year, he told me that he thinks that some one had attempted to do the head gasket before. the garage hasn't replaced the water pump as this was new but replaced everything else.
The head was pressure tested and skimmed when fitted.
the car ran ok for a week and now I have an overheat problem, after about 5 miles the temperature goes very quickly up, the garage has tested for air locks and has replaced the thermostat, still overheating.

can you help this is driving me mad now:frown:

Greetings and welcome to Loony Zone.
You say that the garage left the water pump alone. Did they check if it had plastic or metal vanes? The plastic ones can have the vanes disconnect from the shaft so can look good but be as useful as a lace durex.
Has anyone tested the viscous fan?
Have you checked airflow through the rad?
Has the rad still got it's central baffle in place? Without this it's as useful as a chocolate fireguard.
That should keep you going for the moment.
Mind you, I wouldn't assume that the head is good, even though it's been tested. They can be cracked but only show up under pressure AND heat.

hi dogsbody
thanks for the info I will chat to the garage tomorrow as the car is still there and see were we go from here.

cheers Gary

you have also said they skimmed the head? is it a 2.5 bmw diesel? dont think you can skim those just replace?

danb79 said:

you have also said they skimmed the head? is it a 2.5 bmw diesel? dont think you can skim those just replace?

Click to expand...

Quite right, the head is fragile as standard, skimming it is a recipe for failure