E30 Zone

Hi guys,

Not having a problem as such looking for some advice.

Basically never had any problems with my e30 323 over heating temp used to stay at half way and never really moved either way.

But I've been having engine trouble so replaced coolant temp sensors to which my temp gauge now stays at around the quarter mark and rises slowly to between quarter and half when I give it some hooning.

Today while checking various things under the bonnet with the car running I realised that my rad hoses and expansion tank ect are mad mad hot, the fluid isn't boiling over or anything like that but surely they shouldn't be that hot?


What's the average coolant temp at idle when warmed up also what's the chances of the gauge giving a duff reading?

Just to add car has had a new rad , hoses and thermostat water pump seems to be doing the job as can feel coolant flowing.

Chances are that you've fitted a different temperature thermostat. 80 degrees instead of 88.
Is your 'new' radiator really new? The temperature rise when driving 'enthusiastically' suggests a duff radiator.

When I said hooning I really ment drifting on track but I no a few people frown upon it.


How would a Lower temp t stat make the pipes red hot but the gauge show at the 1/4 mark ?

Drifting on track, with a properly prepared car is acceptable. It's drifting around the local Tesco's car park that's frowned upon.
80 degrees or 88 degrees, the pipes will be hotter than human skin can stand. Engines are supposed to run hot. It increase their efficiency.

No Tesco or mc Donald's car parks for me tracks only.

Am I likely to see any benefits from a 88 degrees thermostat as apposed to the 80 degree one I have ? ( just check ecp part number and it is a 80 degree one I have)

80 degree stat. will probably give you a bit more of a buffer against local boiling in the engine, since you're operating the car outside of it's design parameters, with airflow into the rad. at an angle.