Why do BMW's I6 engines generally run hot?

[socalife]

Compared to other cars, when i lift the hood of my e30 the m50 sends a heat wave in the atmosphere even though the temp needle is on the first white mark. I heard all of the inline 6's (m20,m30,m50,m52 ect.) are like this. Is their a mechanical explanation because im kinda curious. Before anyone asks, yes i have the correct thermostat and i keep my electric fan on before i forget to press the snowflake button because i barely witnessed the temp needle approaching the red twice since i said to my self that i would turn it on again because the engine is too cold. btw, does anyone know where i can get a timer that turns the fan on automatically?

[dnguyen1963]

Who told you? There is something wrong with your car if the temp needle approaches the red zone twice. Check your fan clutch then your coolant system.

[MR 325]

Your car needs work. They don't all run hot. None of my cars ever have an issue.

You should not need the aux (electric) fan AT ALL to keep your E30 at the correct temp unless you're actually using the AC.

[ELVA164]

Not having the fan shroud on the radiator and idling for an extended period could also cause the temperature to rise.

[E30NJ]

^^ absolutely. +1 on the fan clutch and AUX fan

[nando]

get a fan clutch like everyone else says.

also, don't rely on remembering to push the button on the fan switch. you don't need a timer, there is a stock thermoswitch that will turn it on, which you can replace with one that turns it on earlier (from an E36 M42 powered car). but you should still get a fan clutch because if you have A/C, the condenser fan isn't going to be able to handle keeping the engine cool and running A/C at the same time.

[nrubenstein]

Swap cars have compromised cooling systems, which makes things worse. They also tend to have thin walled headers that leak a lot more heat into the engine bay as well.

But no, I6 engines do not magically put more heat into the engine bay. Than other similar engines.

[Kevinl]

Mine will run all day just below the middle on a 110 degree day with the ac on

[Mr. Tasty]

Mine will run all day just below the middle on a 110 degree day with the ac on

same

[TobyB]

I never noticed a real heat problem either...

t

[quikveedb2]

+1, zero heat management issues, mine typically runs just below the center of the gauges range, even climbing some of the local +12,000 foot high mountain passes.

[estoguy]

No problem with my Eta. Temp gauge usually sits a tick or two below the middle line. I do love how it warms up though. I'm usually at full temp within 6-7 KM. I keep her around 1500 RPM in 5th until I'm past the blue, then usually not pulling more than 80 km/h until I'm past the first white tick.

Occasionally during the summer, if I'm in a traffic jam, my temp needle goes about a tick over the middle line, but never higher. Once I'm moving again, settles right back to the usual position.

[camshaftgsxr]

I mean coolant runs from the front to the back of the head which is fairly long, they have meh water pumps that don't flow a ton, its not the best design, it just is what it is. I wouldn't call it "bad" but its definitely fragile.

but no it shouldn't be over heating, that indicates a problem.

[socalife]

I guess i wasnt descriptive enough, but what i mean is i dont have stock fan that hooks up to the alternator belt because it doesnt fit. Instead i bought an electric fan that actually cools the engine really good. The only problem is that i wired it to a misc. button since i didn't know their was another way. So, i either drive with it always on which ends up leaving the needle on the first white tick or i try to keep an eye on it and let it bounce around the half tick or i end up forgetting which resulted me into almost overheating twice. Anyways, i guess i understand our cars are normal but can i have more info on hooking it up to a timer. Thanks!

[haggardfab]

just hook it up to a temp sender like its supposed to be and it will regulate its self..