e30 feels hot, cuz it is?

[eshghehBMW]

guys I know I posted some time ago about this issue...but I genuinly think that the engine just runs too hot.
I mean I just took it for a 5 min. ride and the radiator hoses as well as my oil cover were burning hot.

So my question is what should I expect (if anything) first?
Oh, and there's only water in my radiator, so how much of a difference will it make if I run antifreeze instead?

EDIT: on the side note my fan does run but surprisingly enough there are 3 to 4 sets of wires to it that have melted previously...just a thought. ***(it only runs when the car is on)

[SamE30e]

Run antifreeze with redline water wetter. The water holds heat a lot more.

[eshghehBMW]

any pumps, etc. I should check?

[SamE30e]

Check the thermostat...

[browntown]

^^ If I Understand the way they operate correctly thermostats are designed to stick open when they fail. A bad thermostat shouldn't cause overheating.

[DaveSmed]

^^ If I Understand the way they operate correctly thermostats are designed to stick open when they fail. A bad thermostat shouldn't cause overheating.

Supposed to, and usually do. Though its kinda tough to call how something will fail all of the time, and its worth a look.


What kind of driving do you normally do, highway?

[eshghehBMW]

Supposed to, and usually do. Though its kinda tough to call how something will fail all of the time, and its worth a look.


What kind of driving do you normally do, highway?

rarely...It's just my DD in city.

[delfin]

Sounds random but check your spark plug wires. I reconnected one of mine incorrectly one time and it ran the temperature of my coolant and pipes through the roof.

[Van Westervelt]

Run antifreeze with redline water wetter. The water holds heat a lot more.

Wrong. Water will transfer the heat better than antifreeze will.

[mikeedler]

exactly. the antifreeze just raises the boiling point, conditions the radiator, and lowers the freezing temp. a car will run cooler with just water, but it isnt really good for for the metal/allu parts of it.
I have had several of my cars, as well as a ton of em at my work that when the thermostat faild, it jams sideways, and closes the system.
what is you gauge reading?
check if crap is blocking the flow in the front of the radiator too.

[eshghehBMW]

exactly. the antifreeze just raises the boiling point, conditions the radiator, and lowers the freezing temp. a car will run cooler with just water, but it isnt really good for for the metal/allu parts of it.
I have had several of my cars, as well as a ton of em at my work that when the thermostat faild, it jams sideways, and closes the system.
what is you gauge reading?
check if crap is blocking the flow in the front of the radiator too.

my gauge reades a little bellow the middle line....I have yet to see it go over that ever...but it does function when I turn the car on and off.

I will probably do a flush and replace with coolant/antifreeze.

I read somewhere that I have to pour in the coolant while the car is reving and heater is working at the same time while flushing the water out...

SO what's bad about just removing the water completely while reving...and then just pouring in the coolant after?!

[homegrone30]

I wouldn't do that the motor would overheat. If you wanna do that I would flush by pulling the drain plug and putting a hose in your reservoir and just run it till you see nothing but clear. But the down side is you'll never get all of the coolant out unless you have a coolant evac machine