So just got a 320i Touring E30.
Took it for its first spin. For the first 5 minutes or so it seemed fine. Then i noticed the needle slowly rising. Just as it reached the red section of the gauge the needle then started to go back down to roughly the 3/4 mark. and it sort of sat there and the needle was wobbling. It then sat flickering between Half way and the red section (but not actually going inside the red section)
Is this cause for concern?
Engine Temp Guage Dodgy?
Moderator: martauto
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
If you'd said it was flickering between 1/2 and 3/4, then I'd say it was not a cause for concern, since you most likely have the very common fault of a small loose nut on the back of the instrument cluster, right behind the temperature gauge.
What makes it more of a concern is that you say it went into the red and only came back to 3/4.
Tighten the nut first, and then proceed with caution. The gauge on your car should read very slightly below half.
Welcome to the zone on behalf of the management, BTW.
What makes it more of a concern is that you say it went into the red and only came back to 3/4.
Tighten the nut first, and then proceed with caution. The gauge on your car should read very slightly below half.
Welcome to the zone on behalf of the management, BTW.
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Cloggy Saint
- Old Skooler
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I have a similar fault. Read this
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=
E30 zone - promoting adult illiteracy since 2004
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GizmoY
- E30 Zone Newbie
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- Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:00 pm
I think ill wack in a cheap after market temp gauge to get a second opinion on the gauge in the cluster. see how that goes.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Standard gauge is 100% accurate (when its connections are tight). E30s aren't generally improved by the addition of aftermarket tat.
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GizmoY
- E30 Zone Newbie
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this one has already been "Improved" so any more additions will not be noticed.
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GizmoY
- E30 Zone Newbie
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- Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:00 pm
It appears i have a cooling issue. I can stop the fan with ease when up to temp (and when nearly in the red)
Would this be the cause of my issues?
Havnt got my tools to hand to check the water pump. Job for tomorrow.
Would this be the cause of my issues?
Havnt got my tools to hand to check the water pump. Job for tomorrow.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Fan should lock up when the (correctly operating) temperature gauge starts climbing towards the three quarter mark.
If the overheating only occurs when the car isn't moving or only moving slowly, then the coupling could well be the problem. It won't be the (only) problem if the overheating occurs when moving normally.
Spend twenty minutes tightening the nut on the cluster, so that you can give us accurate information.
If the overheating only occurs when the car isn't moving or only moving slowly, then the coupling could well be the problem. It won't be the (only) problem if the overheating occurs when moving normally.
Spend twenty minutes tightening the nut on the cluster, so that you can give us accurate information.