Coolant temp at 1/4 mark...but why, using 80* thermostat

[digger]

I suspect your gauge is off then. 75-80c on mine would be on or just before the tick to left of centre. The 1/4 mark ( what I call just to right of blue) is about 60c in my case. It might not be the only issue.

[BaltimoreBimmer]

Hmm. I'm getting some leakage by the t stat housing. Hard
To identify where exactly due to all the hoses there. But I guess I need to tighten again. But is the temp difference on the Tstat housing expected?

[jeffnhiscars]

I had a leak there too. Turned out I had a crimp in the housing O ring.

Takemitmfor a run before you check temps rather than warming it up in the driveway. It does sound like it's in the range though

[BaltimoreBimmer]

I measured in the driveway after a 20 minute drive. But wasn't hardcore highway or high revving, just driving around the city. I'm thinking it's not the housing gasket as I didn't touch that and it wasn't leaking before. But we shall see. Kind of need a new housing anyway, use pliers to get that 8mm bleeder screw out

I ended up hitting it pretty hard on the way home from the movies last night to get a good block reading.... But now I can't find the thermo reader -_-

[BaltimoreBimmer]

ok, got around to putting in a new fuel filter. the oil check light came on. I also took the time to do a smoke test. I found leaks at the front and rear of the valve cover. Cant actually see where it's coming from, but appears to be the rocker shaft plugs. All of which are new (less than 100 miles). After driving around for a while, the idle evened out, the oil check light went out.

I measured the block at ~175-180F or 80C after driving around for a while. Thermostat housing is same in that its around 180 on the housing side, and 160 or so on the outer clamp side.

[BaltimoreBimmer]

Ok gents. Get a load of this: finally had time to look into the actual thermostat and I found the o ring to be kind of sticking up where there is a difference in the thermostat. Is that just from a bad installation? Or is it not perfectly orientated. I'm assuming that coolant was managing to slip past the thermostat at this point causing me to have a cooled engine yes? I happen to have a spare thermostat o ring so when I get around to putting my car back together I will put the new one in. But this seems like it's definitely the culprit. Anything to keep in mind to avoid this happening again?