Radiator

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fudge_sta
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Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:11 pm

hey can anybody recommend a good radiator for my 92 325i, mine seems to not want to run as efficiently as it used to. thanks
pony
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Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:24 pm

BMW Dealer which is where I got mine from :-)
I think the 325s came in 2 different sizes. Depending on the year of production.

Alternatively go to Euro Car parts I think Behr are the OEM manufacturer but not sure.
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fudge_sta
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Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:38 pm

ECP seem to have issues locating the correct one for mine. will have to try dealers, hopefully it won't be a small fortune.
Grrrmachine
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Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:27 pm

Nissens is a decent brand.
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fudge_sta
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Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:30 pm

Am i correct to assume these are the dimensions for my cooling rad?
Car is 1992, 2.5, manual, without a/c

height: 440
width: 329
thickness: 32
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fudge_sta
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Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:50 pm

Am i correct to assume these are the dimensions for my cooling rad?
Car is 1992, 2.5, manual, without a/c

height: 440
width: 329
thickness: 32
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fudge_sta
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Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:45 pm

correction

width 440
height 329
thickness 32
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fudge_sta
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Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:16 pm

bump
capnmchl
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Sat Sep 07, 2013 6:31 pm

Realoem lists 3 types.

A standard one of 440mm width
A hot climate one of 550mm
And an A/C one which isn't listed.

So yes, it would stand to reason that yours is 440mm width.

P.S, I figured your car was a touring due to the build date.
pony
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Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:07 pm

You have a very late 325i Touring :-)
They are very rare :-)
bss325i
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Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:28 pm

capnmchl wrote:Realoem lists 3 types.

A standard one of 440mm width
A hot climate one of 550mm
And an A/C one which isn't listed.

So yes, it would stand to reason that yours is 440mm width.

P.S, I figured your car was a touring due to the build date.
A/C one is the same width as a standard one at 440mm but is deeper buy about 4 or so inches.
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fudge_sta
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Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:45 pm

lol iv always wanted a touring but i have a cabriolet,
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fudge_sta
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Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:52 pm

Was considering a Nissens branded one, does anybody have any experience if its any good or not?
ECP lists EIS i think, although i have never had any experience with this brand before
thanks
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MrT8064
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Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:50 pm

Just put a Nissens radiator in my 318iS and it works very well indeed. eBay was the cheapest by far, even though I had to wait a week to have it shipped from Denmark as it was apparently a rare one...

I ordered an EIS radiator from ECP and as well as being the wrong size it also leaked, and they were very reluctant to take it back and give a refund.
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fudge_sta
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Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:24 pm

Nissens it is then.

Although i am pretty sure the radiator needs replacement the car has developed a weird issue. Where as before it would over heat slightly when in traffic and on a spirited blast, i went to drive it the other day now i find it takes for ever for itself to warm up. It will eventually go over the blue part of the temp gauge and stay there until around 20 mins of driving then starts to climb gradually to optimum temp, by which time iv finished my journey usually.
Along with this i noticed the idle of the car from especially a cold start is higher then normal and doesn't come back down . Although this is intermittent and sometimes it idles perfectly from the turn of the key.

My thoughts are from a little research coolant temp sensor or thermostat itself,

Parts that have been replaced recently are

Viscous (Behr)
Water pump
Thermostat although around 2 years ago now.
And radiator flushed and bled numerous times.

Any thoughts guys would be much appreciated.
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Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:19 am

I would suspect the thermostat is stuck open,hence the slow warm up.

Buggered blue temp sensor usually gives over-rich running when warm,it's easy to check,take a resistance reading when cold,and again when hot.Best to take the reading at the ECU plug as well,to eliminate a wiring fault.
The ohm reading should be significantly different when comparing hot to cold!
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harry_p
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Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:34 am

Ecp and similar sites can't cope with late cabs or tourings as their system assumes your car will be e36 based. Other members have had similar problems with exhausts.

You're best of manually choosing the make and model and putting 1990 as the year. You should get parts which actually fit an e30 then.
cheers,

harry
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