Author Topic: Running Hot!! (Read 3920 times)

Birdman16 · « **on:** October 26, 2008, 09:46:37 AM »

Hey guys,

I've got another challenge for you on my e30. It runs too warm for everyday driving. I just got a cracked head replaced, all of the gaskets, new aux cooling fan resistor, thermostat and other things I am forgetting. THe car is still running at or above the 3 quarter mark and I worried considering all of the work I hve done to this car. Give me your opinions of what it could be because I'm worried something else bad will happen to this car. It seems to be running perfectly now, but we all know how fast that can change...

tjts1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2008, 11:37:26 AM »

Clogged radiator
damaged water pump impeller
clogged coolant hose
insufficient water in the coolant/water mixture
using tap water instead of distilled water
debris between the radiator and AC condensor
slipping water pump belt
thermostat installed backwards

Birdman16 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2008, 04:09:53 PM »

Radiator was replace before I got the car. I am using the correct coolant/ water mixture "50/50", water pump and all belts are new, thermostat installed the correct way, and all new hoses, what else, any personal experiences?

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2008, 04:37:56 PM »

Did you bleed it with the heat on?
Did you check the fan clutch?

Birdman16 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2008, 06:26:24 AM »

Both the shop and I have taken care of both of these, another M42 gremlin!!!

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:23:22 AM »

Maybe it's your gauge .Have you stuck a thermometer in the coolant to see exactly how hot it is

Maybe connect a different gauge to the sensor to check ? Does your electric fan come on when it gets hot ?

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:00:43 AM »

Do this while driving:

Tap on the gauge cluster lens right where the coolant temp gauge is located - give it a nice "thump" on the lens a couple of times and see what the coolant needle does... If the needle jumps/flickers either forward or backward, then it is a loose connection at the back of the gauge itself. The E30's are known for a "dancing" coolant gauge where the gauge may read higher or lower than normal OR it may even flicker at times... The fix is to tighten a nut or secure the connection at the back of the gauge.

Did you replace the coolant gauge sensor? A bad sensor will give inaccurate readings to the gauge in the cluster.

Did you replace the mechanical fan clutch? A bad fan clutch will cause increases in engine coolant temp since the fan is no longer operating 100% properly or efficiently.

Birdman16 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2008, 02:54:38 PM »

RED IS 91, I have not checked how hot it gets, but the fan does not come on just because the car simply does not get that hot.

Cobra Jet, I will give that a try. The shop said nothing about this, but it couldn't hurt to give it a try!

Thanks for the great responses, now go up a few posts and see if you can fix the studdering problem, my car has caught that plague.