318is temperature problem

[Gussy]

Hey guys,
Posting this up for my mate Darren, some of ye might know a solution to his problem.

He has a 1990 318is which has a niggly problem. He says when he drives it the temp gauge will stay at half way for about 45 mins of driving. Then after that the temp gauge will creep up to between half way and 3/4. It will then stay at this for as long as he drives it. He says theres no oil in water / water in oil and the expansion tank doesn't seem to be generating massive pressure so a head gasket problem seems unlikely???

He says the gauge will also do its little "dancing" trick like alot of E30's and will go from half way to 3/4 back down then up again.

Just wondering if any of ye have any ideas as to what the problem might be??

Thanks!

[iDreamBeemer]

the dancing sounds very similar to mine, sorry no solution but I have been told to check the connection to the back of the guage in the dash, take the speedo bit out and check it at the back.

Still need to do this for mine but might want to suggest it to your mate. Also could the temp sensor on his is not calibrated, supposed to be easy to change but again not tried it myself.

[Bob_S]

could well be his fan clutch mate, I had similar problems and that sorted it.
Not cheap though!

[Chris-W]

Loose nut?

[Bob_S]

I put a new coupling on chris, well I got DM to do it as it was cheaper lol and I felt lazy!

[Chris-W]

I meant behind the temp guage - for the original poster!

[Brianmoooore]

Tighten the small brass nut on the back of the instrument cluster directly behind the temp gauge, and you will most likely find the problem has gone away.