tempature cant reach the middle of the gage

[budgetown/6]

im always around that first line. i figured i got a bad thermostat? is this bad? is it bad to run the car that cold? does the m20 thermostat work for my m42? thanks for the help.

[Wizard]

It's a bad thermo....I ran my car for over a year with the temp only ever reaching the 1/4 mark... Will not hurt anything, although your heater will be inefficient...Not that that maters this time of year. Look for a write up about thermostat replacement....Get the "cooler" thermo...It opens at a lower temp then the "standard" one, although I don't quite remember the temp offhand..

Found a quick link...
http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-thermostat.html

[DesktopDave]

I have to swap mine out too - the temperature isn't stable. Mostly it runs pretty cold. Might even be the temp gauge itself. I might try the hotter thermostat with some water wetter and a thinner mix than usual to see if I can pick up some mileage and cut parasitic drag.

Make sure you top the car off with distilled water! BTW, anyone have suggestions for antifreeze? I was going to try the Prestone Dex-Cool stuff. Is the BMW coolant better?

[budgetown/6]

thanks for the help. i also thought it might be the gauge but i guess ill replace the thrmo anyways. whats a good place to order that online?

[Wizard]

Lots of places to get it... I would compare prices including shipping and taxes as these places charge differently..
bmaparts.com
bavauto.com
autohausaz.com

Here are some part #'s for you:
Thermostat; 88 Degree C -- 11531721002
Thermostat Gasket/Seal; 60x3mm O-Ring -- 11531721218
Thermostat Gasket/Seal; For Thermostat Housing --11531721172

[budgetown/6]

good lookin out

[hbgoonie]

Do any of you have a bouncing temp gauge? I have had this problem for a bit. Before the waterpump and radiator went out the gauge would bounce randomly sometimes. Even after the fixes my gauge bounces randomly. It doesn't always happen but at times it will bounce from center to 3 quarters and back.

Wondering also if this would cause a ruff idle sometimes and a check engine light at idle.

[keflaman]

OP: Here's an easy visual to look for before handing over hard-earned cash;
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8579

For hbgoonie: Check the connections to your sensors and if all is well, but you've had your instrument cluster out at some point in time;
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7718