How hot do you get?

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • iansane
    E30 Fanatic
    • Oct 2011
    • 1341

    #1

    How hot do you get?

    Since I just bought my first m20 equipped e30 and it doesn't have an actual coolant temp gauge, I've been trying to keep an eye on where it sits 'normally'.

    Where does the needle point for you guys?
    84 325e - 91 325i - 92 318 touring - 91 Trans Am - 01 S4 avant - 03 S-type R - 96 F350 - 15 SS - 84 Biturbo - 91 Defender
  • CHIF8008
    No R3VLimiter
    • Nov 2010
    • 3447

    #2
    back side of the middle mark
    -FREEDOM- is cruisin at 80, windows down and listening to the perfect song-thinking "this is it"
    -The Beauty in the Tragedy-
    MECHANIC SMASH!!- (you all know you do it)
    Got Drop?? ;-)
    Originally posted by JinormusJ
    But of course
    E30s are know to be notoriously really really really ridiculously good looking

    Comment

    • Sagaris
      R3VLimited
      • Sep 2009
      • 2243

      #3
      When the ambient temperature is below 60F my car will run 1.5 to 2 needle thicknesses below the 1/2 mark. This is due to removing the A/C condenser

      When the ambient temperature is below 90F my car sits at the 1/2 mark or a needle thickness below the 1/2 mark. When the temperature is between 90-100F the car runs at the 1/2 mark and creeps up a needle thickness past the 1/2 mark once I get off the freeway and come to a red light. (I have no aux. fan).

      I am thinking of running a thermostat which allows me to run a tad hotter.

      Comment

      • Thehemiman
        E30 Addict
        • Apr 2009
        • 533

        #4
        Mine sits at 1/4 when its at regular running temp. If I'm sitting in traffic it will creep up though. I need a new fan clutch...
        1988 325i Vert
        1991 318is Slicktop

        Comment

        • yert315
          R3VLimited
          • Aug 2008
          • 2734

          #5
          depends. If im going out that night, I get pretty spiffy.


          Middle of the gauge.

          Comment

          • djjerme
            R3V Elite
            • Sep 2010
            • 5082

            #6
            I get sexy hot in direct relation to how much beer consumed.
            1991 325i MT2 Touring (JDM bro)
            2016 Ford Flex
            2011 Audi A3 - wife's other German car

            Comment

            • cabriodster87
              E30 Enthusiast
              • Jan 2011
              • 1042

              #7
              If there were a 1/3 mark, that's where mine averages. If i see it past the 1/2 mark, that would be the first time.
              sigpic
              Reich und Roll!

              Comment

              • TurboJake
                No R3VLimiter
                • Oct 2010
                • 3780

                #8
                Dead center half mark. No deviations once warmed up.


                Leave Me Transaction Feedback

                Comment

                • tAngo.
                  E30 Addict
                  • Oct 2009
                  • 441

                  #9
                  mine jumps all over the place...
                  TEMO


                  Originally Posted by Ryan... If you've seen Tango's girl, you would not be questioning his choice of apparel ;-)

                  Comment

                  • Kershaw
                    R3V OG
                    • Feb 2010
                    • 11822

                    #10
                    just shy of 1/2. there really is no standard for this.

                    just a standard for what your car does.
                    AWD > RWD

                    Comment

                    • iansane
                      E30 Fanatic
                      • Oct 2011
                      • 1341

                      #11
                      Seems to be a pretty good spread for how hot. Has anyone figured a correlation to what's indicated on the idiot gauge vs actual temperature?

                      Mine seems to get pretty warm (as in the upper half all the time and sometimes even the upper 3/4) but I'm not sure the cooling system is completely burped yet. I had left the clutch fan off for a few days while I figured a way to get a proper sized spanner on the nut and it actually seemed to run colder w/o the fan. Never left the half mark.
                      84 325e - 91 325i - 92 318 touring - 91 Trans Am - 01 S4 avant - 03 S-type R - 96 F350 - 15 SS - 84 Biturbo - 91 Defender

                      Comment

                      • stillkotd
                        Advanced Member
                        • May 2011
                        • 127

                        #12
                        Mine is almost always right at the 1/2 mark. If I drive hard and then wait at a stop light it might creep up half a needle width or so, but I've never seen it any hotter than that.
                        1989 325i m50b25tu swap
                        1989 325i (sold)

                        Comment

                        • rodpaine
                          Noobie
                          • Mar 2011
                          • 33

                          #13
                          Originally posted by iansane
                          Seems to be a pretty good spread for how hot. Has anyone figured a correlation to what's indicated on the idiot gauge vs actual temperature?
                          Temperature Gauge approximate degrees F
                          Rod's 528e support web site
                          A car can be restored many times. It is original only once.

                          Comment

                          • BlueIX
                            Mod Crazy
                            • May 2007
                            • 755

                            #14
                            Prior to having my timing belt, water pump, radiator and thermostat replaced I'd start creeping past the half way mark when stopped in traffic and the temperature was 80+ degrees. Now the car pretty much stays below the halfway mark,
                            Originally posted by BAlbertiX
                            your my boy blue!

                            Comment

                            • iansane
                              E30 Fanatic
                              • Oct 2011
                              • 1341

                              #15
                              Originally posted by rodpaine
                              Thanks!
                              84 325e - 91 325i - 92 318 touring - 91 Trans Am - 01 S4 avant - 03 S-type R - 96 F350 - 15 SS - 84 Biturbo - 91 Defender

                              Comment

                              Working...