overheating problem??325i

[spaceman]

I have a 1994 325i bmw. My car has recently over heated and as a result i had to get the radiator and thermostat changed. After I had that replaced i noticed my car heats up alot quicker than usual. After about 5 mintues of driving i see that my gauge reads halfway and just stays there no matter how long im driving. I have drove this car over a week and the gauge reads the same at halfway still. My dad and I did all the replacing and are now stuck with this problem. does anyone have any suggestions before i take this to the shop?

[e36_m3_Turbo]

have you looked at the water pump to see if its the plastic one

[spaceman]

havent checked yet but its probably a plastic one.

[Speedy-325is]

it does not sound like a problem exists.
my temp gauge is always about halfway up. if it is staying there, why is this a problem.
can u clarify your problem a bit please?
do you mean that the gauge is halfway between normal and overheating?(about 3/4 up)

what temperature is the new thermostat?
what radiator did u put in?

Mark

[BlantonG13]

My car heats up real quick and stays in the middle no matter how hot outside or how much I drive...that sounds like a very good and very efficient cooling system to me...like speedy says, care to clarify the situation a little more?

[steve 92 325is]

sounds like it is working fine, are you losing any coolant?

[RallyE36]

The way you describe your temp gauge it's working exactly the way it's suppose to.
Operating temperature should be reached within 3 minutes of driving and the needle straight up.

Isn't it great you did the job right?

[spaceman]

Before everything was replaced it took longer for the gauge to read halfway probably a good 35 mintues but now it takes 5 mintues for it to read halway. I dont know if thats normal. I never had a new bmw. I bought this used. Can you guys give me more information. You guys could be right it could be normal due to the new parts i put into it. Now i have a new problem my coolant level was at the required mark yesterday now that i look at my car this morning the coolant container is almost empty and that was the same thing that happened before my car overheated.

[spaceman]

To clarify the gauge reading halfway...i was thinking if im driving for 2 hours and my gauge just stays at halway without moving at all could it be that im not getting a accurate reading?

[Speedy-325is]

i had that happen when we pulled the radiator for my new engine, but after a day or to, it is fine. try squeezing the coolant hoses to help any air that is stuck escape. the coolant level could be low because there was air in the hoses and it took a while to settle. perfectly normal, just check the level until it is stable. if it is leaking and that is why, then u have a little problem.

what do you mean this happened before? did u change the fluid and then had the problem, of was it a constant occurance to find no coolant in the reserve? this info is really important. Is there any other info that might be helpful?

about your gauge reading, yours sounds perfect, my temp rides the same spot all day, and i am usually in my car ALL DAY. i love it. even w/the a/c on, it never really moves. not to worry, your car was built to be unbelievable, and some things that shouldnt be, are. so enjoy it, and hold your head up high, you have a great car!

Mark

[Kevin325i]

Sounds like before your problem was a bad thermostat, that's why it took so long to warm up. Sounds like everything is perfect. Mine reads a little higher than the 12 o'clock, like a tiny bit mroe to the right.

Kevin

[jrhaile]

No problem, mine does the same. You car needs heat in order to run :P