318 is temp needle, where should it sit ?

Post Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:26 pm

Hi,
Story is connected battery, Started engine today and left to idle to relearn ECU settings whilst I looked at something else....

After over 20 min in a lock up (with the door open so I don't die from fumes!) it seemed quite happy to sit dead on 3/4 towards the red end.

Heater blows hot fine , no puddles or leaks underneath .

Coolant, water pump and thermostat where replaced last year with circoli parts.

Is this a normal setting for a parked up car?

Thanks for reading

Post Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:02 pm

It should sit a fraction above the centre mark.

You may need a new viscous coupling for the fan.

What does it do when driving at above 30 mph?

Ben

Post Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:15 pm

Thanks for your reply,

Last time it was driven on the road it did sit "dot on" in the middle. Did drive 300 miles from where it was bought (Before I changed or did any mechanical work on it)

I don't actually have any history for a viscous fan clutch change .

Car is a on going but off road project as I am working my way around it.

Thanks....

Post Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:33 pm

All of mine sit between quarter & a half, (4 & 6 Cylinder), they move to the middle, when in traffic.

Post Mon Apr 20, 2015 11:35 am

6 cylinder should have an 80 degrees thermostat and be just above quarter and 4 has 88 degrees and just above half.

They shouldn't move when in traffic if the viscous fan is working.

Ben

Post Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:43 am

Update; double checked thermostat is 88 degree and works as should

Ordered up a fan clutch from car parts for less along with a few (yet MORE!) parts to make best of the offers.....

Hopefully should sort it if not I guess I'll have to stick a coolant pressurizer on the rad cap and go from there....

Post Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:48 am

Check the small brass nut on the back of the instrument cluster before you change too many things.

Post Sun Apr 26, 2015 12:29 pm

Brass nut has been nipped up previously when I changed some dash cluster bulbs, wasn't overly loose..

SI batteries also good ....

Thanks....

Post Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:21 pm

FIXED?

Changed viscous fan clutch
topped up coolant to "cold"mark on the expansion tank.
Let the engine run up for 20min at idle

...... Temp needle between quarter mark and half way and no coolant used, heater still hot and amazing...

I did notice a buzzing noise , adjusted the fan shroud noise gone and when I put a piece of cardboard in between the fan blades the fan stopped ...... I'm assuming it should have destroyed it being new ?

Post Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:27 pm

slideout318i20 wrote:when I put a piece of cardboard in between the fan blades the fan stopped ...... I'm assuming it should have destroyed it being new ?

The bearing in a new coupling is often a bit stiff initially, but soon loosens up. I wouldn't be surprised if a new coupling refused to be stopped by cardboard, but neither would I be surprised if it did stop.

Post Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:29 pm

Ok thanks that's good to know its not a diff unit

So where I said the needle now sits is correct ?

Post Fri May 01, 2015 10:21 am

BenHar wrote:6 cylinder should have an 80 degrees thermostat and be just above quarter and 4 has 88 degrees and just above half.

Ben

Post Fri May 01, 2015 10:51 am

BenHar wrote:
BenHar wrote:6 cylinder should have an 80 degrees thermostat and be just above quarter and 4 has 88 degrees and just above half.

Ben

....oh yeah!...
Well that works for me then...