Engine temp Q - 1996 318ti

[bazar01]

Is this temp readout in the middle of the gauge normal?
Does anybody have a temperature chart for the temp gauge?
Can I replace the thermostat with a lower temp one?
Where is the thermostat housing?

Thanks.

[Xenocide]

All of them have their "happy spot" may not be right in the middle. Just watch for movement.

[MPWR]

Perfectly normal, that's right where it should be.

Don't have one, but I'd like to see one.

Unfortunately, no. The thermostat for the M44 comes as part of the plastic thermostat cover. I don't think different temp rated thermostats are made that will fit.

Front of the engine, below the valve cover gasket and above the water pump pulley. Follow the large rubber coolant hoses from the radiator, they both lead right to it.

[bazar01]

Originally Posted by Xenocide

All of them have their "happy spot" may not be right in the middle. Just watch for movement.

Thanks.

It moved from cold to middle of gauge and did not move anymore. I did not even see the radiator fan come ON. Engine was idling to operating temp so maybe not hot enough to turn ON the fan?

[bazar01]

Thanks MPWR.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by bazar01

Thanks.

It moved from cold to middle of gauge and did not move anymore. I did not even see the radiator fan come ON. Engine was idling to operating temp so maybe not hot enough to turn ON the fan?

The normal operation is for it to rise to the 12 o'clock position and stay there. Mine does, no matter the outside temp or driving condition. I've idled it at 100F and it stays in the middle, and I've gone 70 mph on a -20F day and it stays there.

In 6 years and 90,000 miles of owning my car I've never seen or heard that radiator fan come on. I don't know the parameters for it to activate.

[marucs_b]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

The normal operation is for it to rise to the 12 o'clock position and stay there. Mine does, no matter the outside temp or driving condition. I've idled it at 100F and it stays in the middle, and I've gone 70 mph on a -20F day and it stays there.

My reading seems to move around a fair bit from around between the 1/4 to the 1/2 mark, even on long 70 mph runs. Could it be my thermostat is stuck open? Is there an easy way to check?

[bazar01]

Originally Posted by marucs_b

My reading seems to move around a fair bit from around between the 1/4 to the 1/2 mark, even on long 70 mph runs. Could it be my thermostat is stuck open? Is there an easy way to check?

Yes, it looks like the thermostat is staying open longer than what is needed which explains the swing to 1/4 then it closes a little restricting flow then the temp goes up to 1/2. The thermostat could be hanging up when called to close a little. I would recommend replacing it before it fails to open.

[marucs_b]

Thanks,

Ive got one ordered, i will swap it over this weekend. Is it as straightforward as it looks?

[budget76]

FWIW, I read on BF.C that the temp gauge is virtually useless, and once it starts to move alot of the times it's too late. I have an aftermarket temp gauge in my car now, and it sits at 12 o'clock from around 160* to I don't know what, but I've seen my car hit 235* and shut her down (was having cooling problems, bad rad and electric fan).

I have to assume it's the same throughout all the BMW motors, and it wouldn't vary from my 6cyl to the 4.

[bazar01]

Originally Posted by budget76

FWIW, I read on BF.C that the temp gauge is virtually useless, and once it starts to move alot of the times it's too late. I have an aftermarket temp gauge in my car now, and it sits at 12 o'clock from around 160* to I don't know what, but I've seen my car hit 235* and shut her down (was having cooling problems, bad rad and electric fan).

I have to assume it's the same throughout all the BMW motors, and it wouldn't vary from my 6cyl to the 4.

That is good to know Budget.
On your aftermarket temp gauge, where did you put the sensor?
I did not see any extra sensor well on the coolant passages on the 318ti.
Did you have to put a TEE fitting on the existing sensor well?
Let us know. Thanks.

[budget76]

Originally Posted by bazar01

That is good to know Budget.
On your aftermarket temp gauge, where did you put the sensor?
I did not see any extra sensor well on the coolant passages on the 318ti.
Did you have to put a TEE fitting on the existing sensor well?
Let us know. Thanks.

Don't forget I have a M50, so it'll be different, but I picked up an aluminum thermostat housing and drilled and tapped it for a 1/4"NPT fitting for my sender. Not sure what you could do for the M42/4, never actually looked at one in person more than a quick glance.

Good luck
chris

[Bills86e]

Bleeding the air out is the key to not overheating. My low speed
on my fan went south, next I was buying a new engine that it
started doing rhe same. Blead, now reads like yours, Only my
prob is worse as it took the ECM part of temp sensor out too!
search: RADIATOR

[318ti_IL]

Originally Posted by bazar01

Where is the thermostat housing?

[bazar01]

I tested my fan by supplying power to the brown & blue and brown & black.
Brown & Blue is the high speed terminals. It ran in high speed.
Brown and black is the slow speed and it did not run.
The slow speed section of the dual resistor is open.

I fixed the slow speed temporarily by joining the black and blue wires together.
Now the fan will just run in high speed on both speeds until I can get the resistor replaced.

When I turn On the A/C, the fan runs in high speed. Thanks for all the replies.