How hot is too hot with an M20?

[ptownTSI]

I dont trust the factory temp needle, it shows that my 325is is going to 3/4 up the gauge once i've been driving for a half hour or so. i'd like to install an autometer water temp gauge. how hot is too hot where i should pull over and let the car cool off? 220? 225?

[Jand3rson]

If it's moving steadily out of the 3/4 range and toward the red, pull over and turn off the car. Sounds like you might need a new water pump, or maybe just a thermostat.

[ptownTSI]

it hasnt gotten to the red range ever. i have a brand new FAG waterpump. i'll change the thermostat when i do my 3000 cfm e-fan conversion with dual speeds, A/C on/off, and fully manual operation.

[Ryan Stewart]

Mine only got above half when the clutch on the fan was shot. Replaced it and it never got above half.

[h0lmes]

it hasnt gotten to the red range ever. i have a brand new FAG waterpump. i'll change the thermostat when i do my 3000 cfm e-fan conversion with dual speeds, A/C on/off, and fully manual operation.

lol FAG waterpump. godddamit im drunk

[ddongbap]

I was running no thermostat for a while. Cause it was stuck open. It NEVER past the first notch. Even in 90degree weather. Now it sits right before half. As it should.

[Ryan Stewart]

lol FAG waterpump. godddamit im an idiot.

You sure got that right!

[yozsi]

mine will creep above 1/2 if im idleing around, but as soon as i bring it above idle and hear the fan run the needle drops back down.

[blueapplesoda]

...damn...i had to wire up my aux fan up to direct power to get it to cool my car...90degree day if i idle for more than 5 minutes my car starts going past 3/4....the old 318is i had just fuckin sits in the red at the end as i drove it down the street for 10 minutes....it was about 95 degrees then....

bad thermostats?

[jbsjunk]

Mine ran 1/2-3/4 on the gauge, ends up my rad was getting really plugged in the fins between the condenser and rad, dirt, fuzz, etc.

[trashcop 80s 80s]

Be careful. I popped a headgasket with only getting to the 3/4 mark. 17 years plus 180k on a headgasket and they will fail pretty easily.

[Digitalwave]

Your car shouldn't go above 1/2 as long as everything functions correctly. If you continue to run the car at the 3/4 mark you are going to blow your headgasket sooner or later, and possibly do more damage such as cracking or warping the head.

[AndrewBird]

He isn't asking if that is too hot or not, he is asking what temperature is too hot because he doesn't trust that his stock gauge is correct.

ptown, do you have a Bentley? It should say in there what temp is normal operating temp.

[ptownTSI]

yeah i do have a bentley.

[NC325iC]

i dont thing ive seen mine get anywhere near going past half, and i took out my clutch fan, i just run the aux fan