Hm,now thats a tricky Q (temp guage related)!

[a3ternus]

Well,i own the car (1985 E30 318i M10 4-gear manual) for two years now...

The temp gauge after some minutes of driving was always standing at the first mark above blue (cold),climbing ocassionally to the half mark,then after a min of two,going back at the first mark (1/3rd) again.

After a year or so,its behavour changed a bit.Now,after a proper warm up the needle goes straight to the half mark,staying there most of the time,sometimes even climbing a bit (half way between the 2nd and third mark) and then going back to half!

What could cause this strange change on the reading?!? :roll:
The radiator fan is working right (i ve done the newspaper trick when at its high speed and it doesnt stop of even slow down a bit...) yet the 'idle' position is now always at the half mark (when the car is warmed up)!

I m open to suggestions... :?:

N.

[AdamF 88iS]

There is a brass nut on teh back of the gauge. Make sure it's tight. If it's loose you will get a poor connection and inaccurate readings.

[rs4pro3]

1/2 way is where the guage should shit, not a little above 1/4, As long as it dosn't constantly raise above 1/2 you are fine.

[a3ternus]

It is well documented on various forums that half of our cars' temp guages sit (when the cars are warm) at the 1/3 mark and the other half s at the 1/2 mark...so,I cant be sure... :?
N.

[PanamaE30]

1/2 way is where the guage should shit, not a little above 1/4, As long as it dosn't constantly raise above 1/2 you are fine.

Your guage shits?
:P

sorry, just noticed it and I'm at work, needed a laugh.

[a3ternus]

:D hahahahha indeed,mine shits alright!

N.

[AdironRider]

My car usually sits inbetween 1/4 and 1/2, depending on whether Im sitting at a light, or cruising. Sound like maybe you thermostat is getting a little tired perhaps, as my car when it needed to be changed upped its normal operating temperature. Coolant flush might help as well

[Digitalwave]

1/2 way is where the guage should shit, not a little above 1/4, As long as it dosn't constantly raise above 1/2 you are fine.

It depends on what degree thermostat you have. My car is usually just above the 1/4 mark when on the highway and such, and gets to just below 1/2 in heavy traffic.

[a3ternus]

Sound like maybe you thermostat is getting a little tired perhaps, as my car when it needed to be changed upped its normal operating temperature. Coolant flush might help as well

Yes,maybe you re right,cos up to now it had the same typical behavour...
@1/3 when cruising
@1/2 when in traffic and back @q/3 again later...
N.