e36 328i

Discuss Non-E30 BMW's in here - No selling!

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johnna
E30Zone Irregular
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Fri Dec 24, 2010 6:32 pm

M52b28...
The cabin blowers blowed cold and the temp guage needle never raised into the middle of the guage, only reaching just over the first white line and often falling short, even on a 40 mile run.
Thermostat I thought... especially as it took ages to warm up.
so, being a pedant for correct cooling on an ally engine, I bought a stat, an alloy stat housing and set about installing them.
All on Christmas eve at minus 2!
Since putting it back together and filling up as per the Haynes manual, the coolant check message came up on the check panel. I bled the system again, pumping the hoses to expel any possible air and topped up.
The message was still there.
The system would not bleed any more and I'd filled it up.
So I went for a spin (one mile), the temp guage needle sat perfect in the middle having warmed up at an expected rate.
I got back, the check control still told me to check coolant level and when I felt the hoses, both were pressurised (as is the norm?) and the lower one was cold whereas the upper one was hot .
Blocked radiator?
Be a man for once in your life and sh!t in that boot!- Wilfred.
johnna
E30Zone Irregular
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Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:00 pm
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Fri Dec 24, 2010 7:21 pm

Wait, I'm being thick...

... one hose should be hot, the other cold :roll:

It appears that check control sensors stick. They are float valves that don't always float.

Just how pressurised is the system meant to get?
Be a man for once in your life and sh!t in that boot!- Wilfred.
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harry_p
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Fri Dec 24, 2010 8:07 pm

Sounds like the float has stuck at the bottom of the sensor when the coolant was drained.

As long as the level is fine, it doesn't overheat and doesn't spew coolant out then i wouldn't worry too much!
cheers,

harry
johnna
E30Zone Irregular
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Fri Dec 24, 2010 8:37 pm

Cheers Harry.
Thanks for the reassurance.
Be a man for once in your life and sh!t in that boot!- Wilfred.
Andyboy
Alpina Colada
Posts: 12573
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 11:00 pm

Fri Dec 24, 2010 8:40 pm

Only way to refill and bleed a 24v - refill through the top rad hose, ign on and heater set to hot. Hold the hose up above the rad and once coolant starts to dribble from the rad, refit the hose. No need to fart about with bleed screws etc either.
When filling, do it with the rad cap off initially. As soon as coolant gets to halfway, refit the cap and carry on filling.

Never fails!
johnna
E30Zone Irregular
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Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: In the hole

Fri Dec 24, 2010 8:55 pm

Cheers Andy!
Be a man for once in your life and sh!t in that boot!- Wilfred.
hennared323i
Old Skooler
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Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:52 am

Andyboy wrote:ign on and heater set to hot
This is why I love this site - little pearls of wisdom :D

sorry for the OT Johnna
johnna
E30Zone Irregular
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Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: In the hole

Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:02 am

hennared323i wrote:
Andyboy wrote:ign on and heater set to hot
This is why I love this site - little pearls of wisdom :D

sorry for the OT Johnna
No need to apologise. You are entirely correct, there is a wealth of knowledge available on the zone.

After all you can't be as old as Andy and not gather some wisdom! :wink:
Be a man for once in your life and sh!t in that boot!- Wilfred.
StuBeeDoo
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Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:14 pm

johnna wrote:M52b28...
How long have you had this one Buddy? Tell me more.....
This is why I no longer drive an E30......

Image
johnna
E30Zone Irregular
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Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: In the hole

Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:59 pm

R plate e36 saloon in black with ratty wings, £750 cash with tax until Feb and a full year's MOT.
Its an SE so it has more toys than I can use!

Needed a new stat and the boot was locked shut.

Since I bought it on the 23rd it has had the above work, an oil service and is set for new front pads and discs. I've also got a second hand painted wing on the way.

The coolant level sensor is working again and I'm a happy boy.

The touring is on the drive awaiting collection by the buyer who is from Warwickshire.
Be a man for once in your life and sh!t in that boot!- Wilfred.
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