running hot issues

[///M42 sport]

my 318is is running hotter than normal. Usually when sitting in traffic the temp starts to creep up and I just turn on the heater. However I noticed recently that it doesn't really help anymore.

Is this the fan clutch? How do I test this clutch.

Also, I had to refill the coolant tank by about a liter after flushing it a month prior. I don't know if the coolant is just evaporating or leaking somewhere.

Advise on things to check?

Thanks.
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Bbw tube

[Jordan]

To test the fan clutch reach out and insert a finger into the spinning fan. If the fan stops your fan clutch is toast. If it whacks your finger hard, and you wish you hadn't of done that... then the clutch is good :)

[e9nine]

Use a rolled newspaper to check the fan clutch (not your fingers ;) ) If it stops easily, you need a new fan clutch. Next after that would be a thermostat swap and then a water pump swap if all else fails. The fact that you're losing coolant is kinda scary, make sure no hoses are brittle and leaking ....

Good luck.

[Bitburger]

This might be a long shot but any chance that you've got air in the system from when you flushed it? Maybe you didn't it bleed completely or correctly? That will also cause you to run hot. Most likely though either fan clutch or thermostat as has been said above.

[///M42 sport]

When I bled it, I filled it to the top, capped it off, and turned the heater full blast. Is that how its done?
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NEW MEXICO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

[Avus_325is]

Let the car run with the resevoir cap off to get all the air out of the system. It might take awhile so just let it run till the bubbles stop coming out. ;)

[M-technik-3]

When was last time you changed the coolant? After you do that run some water wetter by Redline.

[Bitburger]

Here's step-by-step directions on how to properly bleed a 318is cooling system: http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/31...nce.html#bleed
Every 318is owner should know about BP's 318is site. It's saved my ass many a time. Hope that helps ya.

[m42technic]

First off, check the ground screw for the coolant gauge on the back of the cluster. Ask me how I know this can cause problems... :roll:

[LowR3V'in]

This might be off topic, but if you take out the weather stripping by the hood and the underhood cover you'll notice better cooling.


Probably wont SOLVE the problem, but it'll help. :o

[Rob]

my m42 was running 'warm'. I swapped in a 75 degree thermostat, and flushed and bled the system, problem solved.

[brodee]

my m42 was running 'warm'. I swapped in a 75 degree thermostat, and flushed and bled the system, problem solved.

75 degree or 175 degree??

[Rob]

ETK called it 75 degree, but you're probably right, the actual temp would be 175

[KenC]

my m42 was running 'warm'. I swapped in a 75 degree thermostat, and flushed and bled the system, problem solved.

75 degree or 175 degree??

Maybe 75 C?

[BavarianBimmer]

ETK works with Celsius (atleast here in Europe)