is this a fanclutch problem?

[ummagawd]

trying to get a car smogged
they need to be able to warm up the cat
to warm up the cat they usually let it idle for a long while

well it decided to start to overheat

i suspect fan clutch?

and i know for a fact that my thermostat is sticky cuz it takes some time to warm up... and when it does... it doesn't go past the 1/4 mark

[backtrail69]

I would replace the electric fan switch with one from a e36 318is, thermostat, fan clutch and flush the system. Cooling problems will be history.

[ummagawd]

suggestions noted

thank you sir

[AndrewBird]

Were in indoors during the idle time (I.E. - Garage bay)? Could have just not been enough air flow through the radiator.

Easy way to test if it is the fan clutch is to let the engine warm up, stop the engine and try to spin the fan. If it won't turn/turns the water pump, then it is good. If it spins easily, then it's bad.

Does it overheat any other time?

[nando]

I can idle my car all day long in my garage and it will never go above the 1/2 mark. electric fan conversion FTW!

[strad]

You need to replace that tstat too. If it doesn't go past a quarter it's probably still running cold enriched, which won't look good to the tailpipe sniffer.

[PeaveyBassist]

I can idle my car all day long in my garage and it will never go above the 1/2 mark. electric fan conversion FTW!

True story! I have the e36 m42 (318is) fan switch, stock electric fan, and no engine driven fan. Never gets above half. Ever.

Will

[Adrian_Visser]

so if your thermostat is sticky it can actually keep the car from ever reachin the 1/2 way mark? it wont just delay it?

[backtrail69]

It should just take FOREVER.