Temp gauge

[jrharman]

Hey all i was wondering how high the temp should go on MY e36 M43?

I had to do a bit of waiting the other day on the motorway and she went upto 3/4 so i decided to swap lanes as i was worried...

Can someone tell me how high it will go before the viscus fan cuts in and also how will i know it is switched its self on as i have only ever seen it move normal speed.

Cheers.

[carguy13]

so you were stopped at a traffic jam when the temp went up?

did it go back down when you started going normal highway speeds?

[jrharman]

Yes it went back down to 1/2 the normal position.

[witeshark]

Your clutch type fan likely needs service.

[drz]

The temp gauge needle should always stay around the middle. I am not very fmiliar with the Euro M43-powered 318 -- does your car have an electric fan and a viscuous-coupled fan? I would first suspect the electric fan: a quick check is to turn on th A/C and see if the electric fan comes on (it should).

[jrharman]

Car does not have A/C its only got a viscious fan i have been told its chain driven also....

[drz]

Try to spin the fan when the car is off. It should spin with some resistance. If it spins too freely, then you probably need to replace the fan clutch.

[M_E_]

No, your fan is run by a FAN belt not a chain. Ever look at it when you open the hood?

Take it to the dealer for repair.

[jrharman]

No what i mean is my car is chain driven. As for the fan its self it has some resistance its just i have never owned 1 b4 and i wondered when the fan should cut in:-)