e30s in 100 degree heat

[DaveNorCal]

I usually don't drive mine on really hot days but had to today. The gauge starting climbing in stop and go traffic and at stop lights. Is the typical?

[dnguyen1963]

No, I have been driving mine when the temp was in 100s this past July w/o any problem.

[slaterd]

Nope. Extreme stop and go traffic here in AZ at 115-120 degrees my e30 stays about 20-30 degrees below intermediate temp. Check your thermostat.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Personally I don't run an engine driven fan, and a I removed the A/C compressor during the engine replacement.

Now in the heat I hit my a/c button to kick on the electric fan on the condenser. Without it, my car hates the heat.

So, if you have a mechanical fan, then no it shouldn't climb. If you have removed it, then yes it will unless you have an electrical fan.

[e30Villain]

My e30 did it recently, turns out I had a lot of air bubbles in my system. A good flush and bleed fixed it. It never overheats anymore but I still don't drive it on 90+ degrees because I have no ac

[mr.vang]

either clutch fan is out or air bubble.

[stamar]

the e30 has a huge radiator as well as an oil cooler.

It is overcooled.

In comparision my toyota dolphin has a much smaller radiator and 6000 pounds. It can overheat with nothing wrong.

as a matter of fact I dont think Ive ever owned a car with a bigger radiator than my e30.

[YosemiteSam]

I recently had an overheating problem as well, but I was at high altitude, driving up a steep hill, and it was more like 130. Would that be normal?

[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

[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!

[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.

[bobthecouchguy]

are you losing coolant

[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.

[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.

[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.