S52 Operating Temperature

[bdi_fc]

After getting the S52 running in the e30, I noticed that the temperature would settle between the half-way mark and the 3/4 mark on the temperature gage in the cluster.

At first I thought it was because I didn't have a clutch fan on there. Then I realized it would stay there even when driving on the freeway.

The best way to fix this: new thermostat!
The part number for the 80 degree Celsius thermostat is 11-53-1-713-040
I believe this is actually the stock E30 thermostat, but it fits the E36 all the same.

This will bring your operating temperature down to just below the middle mark.

I complemented this with a new aux fan switch (part no. 61-31-8-361-787). According to the ETK the switch turns the aux fan on low at 80 degrees Celsius and high at 88 degrees Celsius.

This setup works great. I switched the aux fan wiring so that it turns the fan on high at 80 degrees. With this setup, the temperature stays at or below the middle.

Let me know what you think.

[trent]

That is what most of us are running probably.

[bdi_fc]

Keeping it documented for search purposes.

[WillisE30]

Thanks, helpful information.

[bdi_fc]

Auxiliary fan test table is on the wiki

http://www.e30dohc.com/wiki/index.php?title=DOHC_Swap_Basics#Auxiliary_Cooling_Fan_Thermo-switch_Tests

If you switch the low speed with the high speed, it will kick on the high speed initially instead of the low speed.