M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: bullmand on July 30, 2006, 09:14:39 AM

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: bullmand on July 30, 2006, 09:14:39 AM

Are there any reasonable options for upgraded performance radiators for our cars? It looks like I'm going to have to replace mine and I want to check out all the options before I just go with a stock replacement. On an interesting side note, the radiator in my 1991 318i is the same part number as the one in my 1998 318ti. So, that rules out replacing it with a newer factory version. Oh well.

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: Febi Guibo on July 30, 2006, 09:46:40 AM

stock (behr or equivalent) has plenty of cooling... the performance upgrade is an electric fan and a lower temp thermostat...

(and a custom-made billet-machined waterpump, haha)

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: bullmand on July 30, 2006, 11:26:00 AM

Thanks, Febi. The electric fan is coming eventually, but I need to get a radiator that doesn't leak first. I'll worry about that waterpump later;) Maybe the electric one from and E90?

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: M42boy on July 30, 2006, 11:37:54 AM

Quote from: Febi Guibo

stock (behr or equivalent) has plenty of cooling... the performance upgrade is an electric fan and a lower temp thermostat...

(and a custom-made billet-machined waterpump, haha)

I put in an 88 deg fan switch when I had the radiator out.  Why not?  It's the same price!  :cool:

That being said, I don't think it makes much of a difference.  I never had a problem with my car's operating temp.

Title: Don't stone me!
Post by: D. Clay on July 30, 2006, 05:18:43 PM

I have had an ongoing problem with low temp(this is in Texas, too) I put the hotter thermostat in. It runs at 1/4 on the guage and measures 180 with a tire pyrometer. It needs to be hotter to really lock up the clutch and pull more air while it's idling. The lack of air screws with the A/C and it blows warmer than normal at idle.  I've decided to put in a bigger pusher in front of the A/C  condensor.
It may seem strange to go for more fan when there's no overheating problem but, I figure the motor is going to stay at the temp it's at now with the thermostat and more air will make the A/c cooler. At the shop I put a fan in front of the car and the A/C  got cool.

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: m42 fan on July 31, 2006, 09:38:00 PM

Quote from: D. Clay

I have had an ongoing problem with low temp(this is in Texas, too) I put the hotter thermostat in. It runs at 1/4 on the guage and measures 180 with a tire pyrometer. It needs to be hotter to really lock up the clutch and pull more air while it's idling. The lack of air screws with the A/C and it blows warmer than normal at idle.  I've decided to put in a bigger pusher in front of the A/C  condensor.
It may seem strange to go for more fan when there's no overheating problem but, I figure the motor is going to stay at the temp it's at now with the thermostat and more air will make the A/c cooler. At the shop I put a fan in front of the car and the A/C  got cool.

I've been experiencing this phenomenon myself lately.  AC blows warm while sitting still, or in traffic, but it's ice cold when I get up to >25 mph or so.  I figured it was either an aux fan problem, just have not gotten to checking it yet.

Brian

Title: Radiator leak
Post by: FL318is on August 01, 2006, 08:54:32 AM

Is it common to have a leak at the base of the the expansion tank?  Also can just that piece be replaced or do I have to get a new radiator?

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: asubimmer on August 01, 2006, 12:12:59 PM

get a new seal for the bottom of the expansion tank.
 
 
and guys having probs w/ warm ac at idel, I know it sounds dumb but make sure the air is blowing the right direction. If its wired in backwards you will have warm ac at lights and ok ac while moving.

Title: OK, question!
Post by: FL318is on August 01, 2006, 12:19:28 PM

Using this as a pictoral reference

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=17_0099&hg=17&fg=05

are you referring to #3?

Thanks

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: asubimmer on August 01, 2006, 12:20:48 PM

prob want to do 3 and 14 while its out.

Title: Dang!
Post by: FL318is on August 01, 2006, 12:53:31 PM

I feel like I should be buying you a beir!!!  Thanks.

OK Ready for a new question?

 My car is leaking oil.  Some could be coming from the oil pan.  BUT, somewhere near the oil filter cannister and the engine body there is a leak.
 
The question is; is there a common location for a leak in this area?

BTW just ordered the gaskets.  You saved me $$$$.  THANKS!

Title: Leaks bad!
Post by: D. Clay on August 01, 2006, 01:24:32 PM

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_0506&hg=11&fg=30 (http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=11_0506&hg=11&fg=30)
#'s 8 and 9.

Title: Radiator upgrade options.
Post by: asubimmer on August 01, 2006, 01:27:15 PM

^^yep, and I would HIGHLY recomend you replace the bolts while you have them out.  They are old and they will break in time.  Its a real pain to remove them when they break off in the engine block, etc.  And they are cheap.

Title: Otay!
Post by: FL318is on August 01, 2006, 02:11:47 PM

Sounds like 8 & 9 plus 10 & 11.  AND, should I or can I assume that is is a noted problem area or at least a historically problematic area on the M42?

I will order these as well!