S52 Operating Temperature

[7pilot]

It would be preferable to make sure that it stays below 215.
If one peruses the E36 M3 forums, there is a good percentage of problems with high coolant temps/fragile radiators/cooling system problems.

A lot of this, in my opinion, is lack of maintenance and lack of mechanical sympathy in the owners of cars with cooling issues..
However, BMW says or said that 200degrees was good for emissions and burning off of other contaminants.

Approaching 225 degrees coolant temp while on the track, one can encounter a run away increase in coolant temps which is not good for head gasket longevity.
Having cooling system components that are over engineered to keep the coolant at 200 degrees while on the track are desirable, in my opinion.

m

[PuebloPete]

Thats good input, . Standard S52 is 92 C thermo, thats already 197, so you are probably right about running around 200. I cant find an 80c thermostat, where did you get it? Thanks for all useful input, I'm pretty sure this is a BMW CAR forum.

[Gnarles]

I believe I am using the stock m20 80deg thermostat in my s52.

part # 11-53-1-713-040

[nrubenstein]

Of course, the heat will suck with an 80C thermostat. I swapped the 80C that I had for a 92C and I'm delighted by the fact that my heat actually, you know, works well.

[PuebloPete]

Yeah, but I dont have heat, its a race car anyway. the M20 will fit huh? Cool.

[7pilot]

Bimmerworld , Turner, have them. The dealer has them for a 4 cylinder E36 iirc.
I use one with a lower fan switch and Engine driven fan delete in my E36.
On the E30M3 I use The above fan delete kit when there is an S52 under the hood.
When the S14 is in residence , it is stock thermostat with fan delete and lower temp fan switch.

I am not particularly impressed by the head gaskets in BMWs. They need a lot of care and feeding :D

m

[PuebloPete]

Bimmerworld , Turner, have them. The dealer has them for a 4 cylinder E36 iirc.
I use one with a lower fan switch and Engine driven fan delete in my E36.
On the E30M3 I use The above fan delete kit when there is an S52 under the hood.
When the S14 is in residence , it is stock thermostat with fan delete and lower temp fan switch.

I am not particularly impressed by the head gaskets in BMWs. They need a lot of care and feeding :D

m

I ordered one already, I already have the lower temp fan thermoswitch. I was looking under E36 M3 thats why I didn't see any 80 degree. I didn't realize the M20 would fit. So I just ordered the M20 one. I'll get it going this weekend again and keep an update. I read a lot of good things about the Stewart water pump, so I could go there eventually. Thanks!