Inconsistent Engine Temp. - BMW Forum

spieluhr · 03-17-2005, 06:13 PM

my car's engine temp. stays within the two notches on the guage (not the blue or red marks, but the notches between them. But there doesn't seem to be a pattern to how and why it varies between these temperatures. I feel justified in diagnosing this as a faulty thermostat. Would you agree? And I want to know if this is bad for my engine and I should go out and replace it right away. Also, I was looking at Bav Auto at thermostats (wouldn't buy one there, don't worry) but they sell the Aluminum thermostat housing, what does this do? is it a good idea?

thanks

bryan1970 · 03-17-2005, 06:53 PM

it does sound like a thermostat starting to fail. if it never goes to the red then your okay. but if it does go the red for the love of god don't keep drivng!! pull over and let it cool off. there have been like 3 people in the last month that have posted about overheating thier car until it dies. yeah thier gonna need atleast a new head gasket and the head milled but they will probablly need new engines. just keep that in mind if it gets to the red.
the only advantage of the aluminum T-stat housing is that it won't crack and leak like the platic ones can. but if you don't buy the aluuminum one it would be a good idea to change the old plastic one when you replace the t-stat. just becasue if it hasn't been replaced and it isn't leaking now, it will probablly leak later. and since your already going to have to take it off anyway to replace the t-stat it wouldn't be any extra work. just a little more money but not much.

RIBEMR26 · 03-17-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Also, I was looking at Bav Auto at thermostats (wouldn't buy one there, don't worry)

Why wouldn't you buy at Bavauto???

Cruzin 323is · 03-17-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RIBEMR26@Mar 17 2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Also, I was looking at Bav Auto at thermostats (wouldn't buy one there, don't worry)

Why wouldn't you buy at Bavauto???

[snapback]313721[/snapback]

whats wrong with bavauto??

spieluhr · 03-17-2005, 09:33 PM

thanks bryan, very helpful. don't worry I am not stupid enough to drive my car in the red. and i just say that i won't buy it from bav auto cause they are over priced but still very reliable, you can get prices at www.autohausaz.com plus they have free shipping with orders higher than $50

zlac109 · 03-17-2005, 11:50 PM

Could also be that your fan is not woorking properly. I had that same problem on my 320 a few months ago. The centrifugal fan was worn out and had no grip anymore. And the temperature gauge was moving with no pattern. If it worn out you can actually stop it with your hand when the engine is on and idling. Might wanna be careful before you try that though

bryan1970 · 03-18-2005, 07:16 AM

if you check the fan clutch be sure to let the engine warm up all the way first. sometimes it helps if you rev it up to get it nice and hot. and with the engine idling the fan should lock up and begin to roar. if it never does and the engine is up to temp then try and stop it with your hand. it might be a good i dea to wear a glove of some sort. the reason i say that you have to let it warm up is beacuse if you don't let it warm up you'll be ablwe to stop the fan with your hand.

RIBEMR26 · 03-18-2005, 02:35 PM

This isn't really a hijack...same topic...

I realize it is cold where I live right now...but my car never did this before. The engine temp gauge has always stayed exactly in the middle...lately, every once in a while, the gauge will drop down below middle slightly (while Im driving after the car has reached full temp), and then go back up. It has never gone above middle...just a little below... any ideas???

bryan1970 · 03-18-2005, 05:15 PM

did you read any of what people have been posting on this thread??

RIBEMR26 · 03-18-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

did you read any of what people have been posting on this thread??

I'll try to be relatively nice about this...

Screw you noob....

My problem was not the same as the other one...don't be a wise ass...if you dont have anything to add...keep it to yourself...

bryan1970 · 03-18-2005, 06:38 PM

well your problem was pretty much the same and i can almost garauntee you that it is a t-stat. you sadi that it is realy cold there. if it is extremely cold then when the t-stat gets stuck open it is gonna casue the temp to go down.

and i might be a noob on this forum but i can assure you i'm not a noob at working on BMW's so the fact that i'm a noob here really doesn't matter.

RIBEMR26 · 03-18-2005, 06:40 PM

Quote:

well your problem was pretty much the same and i can almost garauntee you that it is a t-stat. you sadi that it is realy cold there. if it is extremely cold then when the t-stat gets stuck open it is gonna casue the temp to go down.

See...now if you just said that before, I wouldn't have berated you as a noob...I do appreciate advice from anyone, that is why I asked the question...

bryan1970 · 03-18-2005, 06:43 PM

well i just get a little irritated when pepole ask questions with out doing a little research, not implying that you did becasue obviously you did read the other posts.

and i don't care if ya call me a noob becasue i am, to this forum anyway.

RIBEMR26 · 03-18-2005, 06:47 PM

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well i just get a little irritated when pepole ask questions with out doing a little research, not implying that you did becasue obviously you did read the other posts.

Dude, thats my point...you haven't been here long enough helping other people to get annoyed at something like that....

i on the other hand have paid my dues helping other people (or at least trying) as they have helped me...

You might NOT be new to BMW's, but you ARE new to the forum community...being a dick isn't going to help you here...thats all....I dont want to waste any more time with this...thats not why i come here...

bryan1970 · 03-18-2005, 06:50 PM

but this isn't the fisr forum i have ever posted on. i've been on atleast 4 other for about 5 years. w/e

have a nice day