All Right, Hot Soak Fans... - BMW Forum

Casey3561 · 02-22-2005, 08:36 PM

Well, I was doing some thinking, and looked up the procedure to do a hot soak on the 318. I follow how it's done, but there are a few things I couldn't find an answer for.

1. My dad says that when he ran ARCA and SCCA back in the 60s and 70s, people would use water for a hot soak procedure. Since water has a higher heat capacity than alcohol (which is in the usual cleaner), it would seem this would work better. Does it?

2. Some gas companies claim to put lots of cleaners in their fuels as is. Does using this type of fuel negate the need for the soak?

3. Also, how can I tell if the cleanout is even needed? The Bimmer idles well except when it's really cold, and even then it settles down in about ten seconds.

4. What are the odds of doing any kind of damage to the motor with this? Is it just keeping an eye on the gauges to make sure it doesn't overheat, or something more serious?

Thanks.

jshearer · 02-22-2005, 11:00 PM

Ok to tell you the truth I really don't know anything about what you are talking about, but as far as if it already idles fine warm and takes a minute to warm up when it is cold outside then that is perfectly normal and it has been that way for every car that i have owned or driven, 5 so far.

thekid · 02-23-2005, 01:48 AM

Just to clarify I am not too familiar with this procedure, but I don't think any one has had to do that in a very long time. I would not think it is worth it, unless you were rebuilding the egine and grinding metal right next to it and dropped all of your shavings into it. Honestly I would not worry about it. The engine should stay fairly clean by its self. Also there are a lot of other causes if the engine is not steady at idle. But like mentioned above it is normal.

Furious · 02-23-2005, 03:53 AM

casey i would love if you wrote a more detailed explaination , because this type of stuff is interesting to learn.

if you have time thanks very much.

mark

'89 635 csi · 02-23-2005, 07:13 AM

A friend of mine did it over the weekend!
I couldn't believe the difference it made!

Casey3561 · 02-23-2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Furious@Feb 23 2005, 05:53 AM
casey i would love if you wrote a more detailed explaination , because this type of stuff is interesting to learn.

if you have time thanks very much.

mark

[snapback]297628[/snapback]

Me? About what?

used

93 325i · 02-23-2005, 12:17 PM

Basically a more detailed explanation of a "hot soak". What does it do? What does it entail? Perhaps post a link to where you read about it..

Furious · 02-23-2005, 12:33 PM

^^ exactly what i ment.

Casey3561 · 02-23-2005, 05:28 PM

Here's what I've found.

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

I follow the logic, but I've only seen it talked about with E30s. Is that just due to the age, or is there some reason I have never seen one with an E36?

used