e30s in 100 degree heat

[ecuastyle84]

Running a 88degree tstat and temp needle stays at the middle during 105degree weather.

[DooDanE30]

no heating issues here either

[Exodus_2pt0]

Do you have a thermostat?

This would cause a "Never gets to operating condition" concern.

[DaveNorCal]

Do you have a thermostat?

[CabbE30]

Cruisin I sit right above the cold line, stopped in traffic it climbs to the middle line. I have bubbles in my line though.

[DaveNorCal]

To clarify, once the engine is warm the needle is always at half (vertical) When the temp gets into the upper nineties it sits a bit over half so long as driving on level highway. Head uphill for long stretches and it approaches the next notch. Yesterday sitting at lights it was getting very close to the red.

[GaryE30]

I drove a 7 hour, 450 mile roadtrip, non-stop in 100+ heat with A/C blasting; needle was below half the whole way. E30s are glorious prices of machining. If its overheating, you've got some issues.

Stop and go traffic is NOT the same as a road trip on the highway. You cannot compare the two

I also thought I had an issue with overheating and purchased a new fan clutch. It wasnt' the clutch, there was no problem with the system.

What the OP failed to indicate, was exactly where "climbing" was?!?! that could be a smidge over half or even a quarter for all we know.

Agreed. Moving in 100*+ temps is nothing. Its when you're sitting still and radiator can't cool enough from natural convection that causes issues.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I drove a 7 hour, 450 mile roadtrip, non-stop in 100+ heat with A/C blasting; needle was below half the whole way. E30s are glorious prices of machining. If its overheating, you've got some issues.

Stop and go traffic is NOT the same as a road trip on the highway. You cannot compare the two

I also thought I had an issue with overheating and purchased a new fan clutch. It wasnt' the clutch, there was no problem with the system.

What the OP failed to indicate, was exactly where "climbing" was?!?! that could be a smidge over half or even a quarter for all we know.

[Irish1]

Will you PM me the shop name? I need some work on my E30 (I'm in Paradise) and want to avoid the "reputable shop". One Chico shop I used to recommend has had a staff melt-down so let me know. Thanks.

The coolant was at the level where the tank narrows. Could this have been causing my problem? I'm already kind of pissed because it just had an oil change and service at a supposedly reputable BMW shop. The next morning it hat a puddle of oil under it. I had it towed in and they admitted they had not fully tightened the filter. This could easily have been catastrophic! They didn't offer to pay for the tow either. Fortunately it's covered by my insurance. Now I'm thinking they didn't bother to check the coolant level either. I wonder if they actually changed the oil.

[DaveNorCal]

The coolant was at the level where the tank narrows. Could this have been causing my problem? I'm already kind of pissed because it just had an oil change and service at a supposedly reputable BMW shop. The next morning it hat a puddle of oil under it. I had it towed in and they admitted they had not fully tightened the filter. This could easily have been catastrophic! They didn't offer to pay for the tow either. Fortunately it's covered by my insurance. Now I'm thinking they didn't bother to check the coolant level either. I wonder if they actually changed the oil.

[MR 325]

My E30 has a turbo (giant heater) under the hood and stays nice and cool even on these shitty 100+ days in SoCal.

[bobthecouchguy]

are you losing coolant

[iwantspeed]

original poster, most likely your clutch fan is out, and or you have an air pocket.
clutch fan

• you can do the newspaper test on your clutch fan.
• drive the car until the engine temp reaches half return back home
• roll a news paper and try to stop your fan blade
• if you can stop it your clutch fan is out.

on a e39 but the same concept

coolant bleeding

• drive the car
• put the heater on the number 4 setting to
• open the heater valve and allow full coolant flow.
• drive the car until the engine temp reaches half return back home
• Loosen the bleed screw on the thermostat housing.
• leave it loose for a few seconds.
• some coolant and air will come out.
• tighten the screw up.
• you can see the screw on the right hand side here
• its an 8 or 10 mm size
• verify your coolant level and top it off if necessary.

[JinormusJ]

I drove a 7 hour, 450 mile roadtrip, non-stop in 100+ heat with A/C blasting; needle was below half the whole way. E30s are glorious prices of machining. If its overheating, you've got some issues.

My other car however... I swear, it overheats so fast, one time I think I could have sworn I had laser-beam eyes cause the temp started climbing with only me staring at it!

[Herr Faust Schinken]

Mine runs from a forth to a little bit under a half in 110 degree heat my air works but I don't use it