E30 Zone

Hello all,

A quick question regarding an odd overheating scenario that I'm currently experiencing.

When the car has warmed up and is idling for a few minutes, I notice that the temperature needle will creep up past the halfway mark and usually sits just below the 3/4 line.

As soon as I start moving the car, the temp will drop back to under the halfway mark.

Can anyone suggest what a likely culprit would be? Consider that I've had the following changed in the last 2 months:

- viscous coupling (new)
- fan belt (new)
- thermostat (new)
- radiator (2nd hand, 3 months old)
- antifreeze replaced last week and radiator bled properly, coolant level in radiator seems stable.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Ben

What engine is it??

Iain S

which engine??

sorry sooty one step ahead

No, just quicker on the keys m8

sounds to me like a viscous.. i know you say its new, but that is the sign of a viscous not locking

Fan shroud OK?
If your new viscous coupling wasn't stored properly (on edge), then it may well be faulty.
If you leave the car idling for a while, then, as the temperature rises, you should hear the viscous cut in as a change of the sound from the fan. If you rev the engine with the coupling locked, the fan should really roar.
Alternatively, you may be worrying about nothing. As long as the needle stays below the 3/4 mark, then the car is in it's normal operating range.

I'll guess the water pumps on the way out!!

If the viscous checks out ok, might be worth changing the water pump - had that same prob before!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. To answer:

- Sooty/Tobias: It's a 318i cabrio - so I guess that makes the engine an M40 if I'm not mistaken?
- Miniblob: The water pump was also replaced about 2 months back
- Brianmoooore: Which bit is the fan shroud and how is this linked? Viscous seems to be working as you suggested, you hear the different whoosh noise as it kicks in on revving gently.

I'll run it again over the weekend and see if the temp goes any higher than 3/4.

Cheers

Ben

air lock?