M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Beeker1972 on May 04, 2015, 06:09:43 PM
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Being I live in the great State of Arizona. I have noticed my engine temperature moves around a lot lately. Above 65 MPH, or go up hill the engine gets temperature goes up. I was wondering if it's possible to use a M20/M50/M52/M54/S50/S52 radiator on a M42 powered E30? I think I can, but I'm just checking here to see what are your thoughts.
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I would say you have issues with your cooling system. First thing I would suspect is a faulty thermostat. It sounds like it has failed in the open position.
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I checked to see if an E34 rad would fit, but they're too wide. Very similar height and integrated end tank setup though. I'm not a fan of the stock cooling system, IMHO the older M20 radiators were far better. I'd have put one in but the remote expansion tank needs a mounting.
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Around March 11, 2014 my car had a water pump failure. I posted pics, and a write up on my Member Profiles thread. I ordered new water pump, and thermostat. Could be a faulty thermostat, or the radiator no fully functional anymore. I know my father used 50/50 mix of distilled water, and Zerex, but maybe the previous owners used Arizona tap water which could be very bad. Arizona water in the Phoenix Metro Area is know for having high alkaline content which is bad for cars with aluminum parts. So at this point if I have to order a new radiator I could just order a M20 radiator, over flow tank, and all the hoses. See if I can find a fan shroud like in the pics I have uploaded. It's a RHD M40 Powered E30 that is for sale in Thailand, or rig up something.