Car running kinda hot..

[htx_e30]

So new OEM thermostat, fresh radiator, hoses, fluids etc. Oils good, antifreeze/water good in rad.. Cars running 3/4 temp all the time once warmed up and sometimes getting close to the red. Just randomly started after running 1/4-1/2 normally. Having to run full heat on most the time while driving to feel safer & not blow my gaskets.. Any ideas?


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[mr.vang]

Hows the clutch fan? Does it only over heat during idle? If so, most likely your clutch fan is out.

[88BlackS-ETA]

Temp sensor bad? Might be giving false over heat warning.

[htx_e30]

Car running kinda hot..

Hows the clutch fan? Does it only over heat during idle? If so, most likely your clutch fan is out.

Damn didn't even think of. But, No it's steadily high temp even when driving. What's the tell-tell of a clutch fan being out based on looks or what not?

Temp sensor bad? Might be giving false over heat warning.

Not that I'm aware of. I'll look into replacing it today, cheap easy part anyways.

[dnguyen1963]

Roll up some newspaper and try to stop the fan when it is running. If you can stop then the clutch is bad. How's your SI board?

[htx_e30]

Roll up some newspaper and try to stop the fan when it is running. If you can stop then the clutch is bad. How's your SI board?

Ok will try today & as far as I know it's good. I'll also pop the cluster out & check my batteries.


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[htx_e30]

Has anyone converted our fans to electric fans? Or know of the size needed if possible. Would run much cooler & little less stress on engine


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[dnguyen1963]

Don't be lazy...search this forum. There are plenty of write-ups on that topic.

[AndrewBird]

Many people just remove the fan and don't have any problems. I took the fan off my M50 powered E30 and even in 90+ degree weather with the AC on, I don't have a problem. I do still have the stock aux fan though that does come on with the AC or when the engine gets too hot.

Your issue is likely air in the coolant system. Raise the front driver side of the car up as high as you can go without picking the passenger side wheel off the ground. Then run the engine with the radiator cap off until the engine is fully warmed up, adding coolant as needed. Rev the engine up a few 1000 RPM every once in a while as well to help move coolant and air through.

[htx_e30]

Car running kinda hot..

Don't be lazy...search this forum. There are plenty of write-ups on that topic.

Not necessarily being lazy, just kept all my questions pertaining to the posted topic in one thread for myself/others for future reference. Sorry. Found the thread write ups & specific size fans people have used. Thanks

Many people just remove the fan and don't have any problems. I took the fan off my M50 powered E30 and even in 90+ degree weather with the AC on, I don't have a problem. I do still have the stock aux fan though that does come on with the AC or when the engine gets too hot.

Your issue is likely air in the coolant system. Raise the front driver side of the car up as high as you can go without picking the passenger side wheel off the ground. Then run the engine with the radiator cap off until the engine is fully warmed up, adding coolant as needed. Rev the engine up a few 1000 RPM every once in a while as well to help move coolant and air through.

Ok good to know. I'll give that a shot also along with the other mentioned tricks & see how it goes! Going to go ahead & change out the temp sensor while I'm under the hood as well.
Thanks for the advice again everyone. First e30 owner here. Picking up what I can as I go.


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[Das Delfin]

You either have air in the system or improper mix. You never want more than 50% antifreeze. In fact if it never freezes where you are you may want to run distilled water alone

Look up how to bleed the system. Everyone does it differently but the gist is get the car up to temp, blast the heater, and pop open the bleed screw until bubbles stop coming out. I like to first add water through the expansion tank super slow so that no bubbles come up, and then secondly fill the rad using the top rad hose. Then connect the rad hose to the motor and bleed the system a bit. Add a bit of coolant through the expansion tank over the next few days. I've never had a problem doing it this way

Many people just remove the fan and don't have any problems. I took the fan off my M50 powered E30 and even in 90+ degree weather with the AC on, I don't have a problem. I do still have the stock aux fan though that does come on with the AC or when the engine gets too hot.

Am I reading this right? I can remove my stock mechanical fan entirely and be okay? I'm asking because that seems counter intuitive! But also a lot easier than an electric fan conversion..

[modernist]

I can remove my stock mechanical fan entirely and be okay?

less stress on engine

Ehhh I wouldn't trust the aux fan to take care of all the car's cooling needs. It might be fine most of the time, but bumper to bumper in 100°F with the A/C on? Eek.

In my opinion, electrical fan conversions are kind of pointless -- clutch fans freewheel most of the time anyway; that's the point of the clutch. Just like an electric fan, it only engages when needed, and a mechanical coupling to the engine is more efficient than having the alternator generate the electricity to drive a fan. My M20 doesn't have an electric fan at all and I'm very happy with just a clutch fan. I don't have A/C though. The only reason I'd be compelled to switch to electric would be an engine swap where a clutch fan doesn't physically fit.