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just another overheating problem....

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    just another overheating problem....

    So my car.. just like everyone else's has always experienced minor overheating issues in traffic where the temp gauge would creep up just a little bit (depending how long it's sitting) and then go back to normal once i would start driving. This has never bothered me as the gauge would pretty much never go past the 3/4 mark. (it would literally have to be standing still for 10 or 15 minutes in order to do that). Today this has gotten much worse. Standing at a light i could literally watch the gauge rise to 3/4 and beyond. I also noticed that the electric fan would only turn on when the a/c is on. It would not turn on when the gauge reaches 3/4 level as it is supposed to, nor with the heating on. Either way i noticed the electric fan doesn't do much to cooling my engine when it is overheating
    So my question is, should i flush the cooling system before looking at the fan clutch if this has not been a problem in the past? Or is it more likely the clutch getting worse? I actually stuck a piece of pizza box into the fan to see how fast it was spinning with the engine overheating and the box brought it to a stop. What are the chances if being the waterpump or thermostat?
    If you're not first you're last :nice:
    1987 325is

    #2
    Since you could stop the fan easily with the radiator hot, I'd say you need a new fan clutch.

    Cleaning and flushing the coolant system is a good idea. You can remove and test the thermostat, or simply replace it. Unless it is leaking or showing other signs of distress, the pump is probably okay.
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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      #3
      On our 30 year old cars, and especially if you do not know the maintenance history, I always replace the fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, and even radiator if its never been replaced. I also change the timing belt while you're there.

      But yeah, sounds like a failed fan clutch.
      Owner - Bavarian Restoration
      BMW and European Electronics Repair and Restoration
      www.BavRest.com
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        #4
        When you see your gauge going up, blast your heater and it'll help draw heat out of the system as well.

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