320i ... getting heated

[MrDNR]

Hi,

I own a BMW 1988 320i ... well, in a nutshell ... I hadn't been using the car for about a month and now that I've started using it ... the temperature goes to maximum ... I do let the car warmup for about 5 -6 mins before starting.

I noticed that when the A/C is switched off ... it stays a bit cooler.

Initially, I thought my sensor might be screwed up ... but when I lifted the bonnet ... the engine was pretty hot.

Any ideas as to what this might be?

[kansas-ix]

Uh thermostat, radiator f-ed?

[Garageaholic]

maybe your water pump is shot.. if you have no leaks of course

[MrDNR]

Hi,

I just got it checked with a mechnaic ... and he told me the same. However, the price he quoted for fixing it up surely makes me think he's trying to dupe me.

Well, I barely have any knowledge to undertake the repairs on my own ... so I need some professional help... I asked around to get my radiator cleant ... however some guys told me since the radiator is plastic they can only clean it with water and some chemicals without cleaning it ... a process of about 30 mins.

But, I found one single shop guy, who said he'd remove the whole thing and clean it for me ... it would take around 2 to 2 and a half hours ... I told him it was plastic ... and if he could still do it? ... He said , he could ... and has done it to other similar cars too ... however, he's asking more than double of the others (understandable, since a lot of labour is involved)

So, which should I go for? ... Also, the thermostat is perfectly working ..
M3 ... the mechanic didn't detect anything wrong with the water pump



-DNR

[kansas-ix]

So you need to flush the radiator huh, this is a good starter DIY project, sooo easy, buy a Bentley manual and read like you have a test. This is easy I'm sure others will jump in,
PS no radiator is made of plastic it would melt. that is just the sides that appear that way.

[MrDNR]

Hi,

Kansas, I have the manual and did go through the radiator flushing ... but ended up giving the car to the guy who said he'd remove and clean it .

Well, he cleant it ... and found a leak on the side plastic panel ... so he changed that (cost me around 70$) ... I do noticed a difference if the reading ... the temperature has not gone to maximum since .. however, he told me that the front fan was running at a lower RPM and there was a setting to increase it ... he told me to go to an electricians shops for that ...

I asked around , and he said ... he'd have to open the whole front bumper and is about 2 -3 hours worth of work ... should I be doing this? ... The temperature meter stays on the medium mark ... but just goes up slightly sometimes ...


Forgive the noobiness ;)

[Garageaholic]

Is it a clutch fan or an electric fan that the mechanic's talking about? You said electrician, so I figured it's the electric fan.

2-3 hours to take the front bumper/grills/valence off and get to the electric fan? I can do that in 15 minutes and then reinstall it in another 10 min. I dont know where he got the 2-3 hours worth of work.

I'm tellin ya, the bentley manual is your friend here. I don't know how to adjust an electric fan.... You can get lower temp sensors, but that would only cover up the problem, not fix it at the root. I'm sure you know personally on your car where the temp should be. I believe it should ALWAYS fall between 1/4 and 1/2, min and max respectively.

Unless maybe you're not electrically inclined enough to measure voltage and amperage. Maybe the electric fan is shot. I don't know enough about it, but I think the bentley manual talks about the specs of the fan and what it should operate at. Personally, I don't have much of an electrical inclination so a troubleshoot like this would be difficult for me.


Chances are, you may have to replace the fan. Go to www.ebay.com or a local salvage yard for that.

I wish you luck. You're narrowing it down. You should have this canned pretty soon

[Garageaholic]

Here are a few other places to get some info from commercial salvage yards where you can get parts for cheap...

www.bmrparts.com 1-800-269-8970
www.zionsvilleautosport.com 1-800-BIMMERS
www.theeurodepot.com 1-866-497-3838
www.terrysaytherauto.com 512-442-1361

These will help you get any part you want for much cheaper than brand new. I suggest getting a used fan as a new one is pretty expensive. I got a used one from them and my engine temp has been fine since..

[parkerbink]

Mine always ran just below the 1/2 mark, any hotter and there is a chance of head damage. Personally I would not mess around with overheating on any car but especially BMWs. If you are uncertain I'd suggest taking it to an indiendant shop that knows your car.

In the long run even if you pay 400.00 to replace the waterpump and (while they are in there t-belt) it is cheap compared to replacing the head.

Good luck

[MrDNR]

Hmm, allright thanks a lot for your replies guys..

I'll drive it for sometime and monitor the readings ... if there still seems a problem, I'll have the fan checked and fixed.