lets talk water temps/gauges etc...s50

[Rugbyfan]

Although I didn't know it, my s50 had an aftermarket sheet metal water pump impeller when I bought the motor. I've driven the car a few years (not my DD though) and the temp gauge always read a needles width below halfway.

Last fall the temp gauge would sometimes sneak past halfway so over the winter, I did the same as you - Stewart pump and thermostat.

Now I can't get the gauge to go past 1/4 even when I drive the car hard (on the street). In the winter, the car has heat but not nearly as much as before.

I'm running a stock late model radiator and stock clutch fan.

What temp Thermo are you running?

[dougsic]

Although I didn't know it, my s50 had an aftermarket sheet metal water pump impeller when I bought the motor. I've driven the car a few years (not my DD though) and the temp gauge always read a needles width below halfway.

Last fall the temp gauge would sometimes sneak past halfway so over the winter, I did the same as you - Stewart pump and thermostat.

Now I can't get the gauge to go past 1/4 even when I drive the car hard (on the street). In the winter, the car has heat but not nearly as much as before.

I'm running a stock late model radiator and stock clutch fan.

[JRKOUPE]

I had a shop do the swap....and altho I did alot of research prior, and supplied many of the parts, Im still learning about all the little parts they used.

[frankie591]

if you are using an m20 temp sensor to run the gauge, then the temperature it displays will be the same regardless of what motor it is sampling the water temperature from.

[JRKOUPE]

95 s50 swap...90 325i


There are hours and hours of threads on e36m3 cooling issues, head gasket issues...warped heads etc etc...but yet I dont read that much here.

it seems as tho oe e36 water temp gauges are VERY buffered...and once they move to 3/4 hot, the car is really really hot.

I just instlld stewart pump and 80 deg t stat after getting some cooling issues after hard track sessions. She would puke up some coolant and run a bit warm. I had hoped it was /is a pump and or tstat..

Now w/ the new parts, she runs cooler( a bit to lt of half) but yet sometimes shows a creep to 3/4 hot.

And Im clearly seeing my needle move around...like under halfway at cruise....a bit of creep in stop and go etc etc..I run an elec fan w/ a temp switch in pass side mishi rad tank. W/ the m20 the needle almost never moved, and I ran a clutch oe fan.


Im wondering w/ our swapped cars do we still maintain the stock behavior(m20) w/ our oe temp gauges?.....or?..

Im not well versed on electrics......Im just trying to figure out what is going on.....and perhaps in denial over a potential head gasket/head job.