Thermostat A Lil Above Half

[BMW-ATI]

Is it normal for my thermostat temp gauge thingy to read like a TINY TINY bit over half, like it's just a LITTLE tiny bit, and it has been hot outside?

if it's a problem, what do you think it could be

ALSO ive noticed lag in my car, and my idle has been jumping along with my rpm's dipping
i guess it's time for a new o2 sensor

and I drive a 1994 325is

CAN someone show me a Pic of the idle control valve, i'd like to clean it


thx

[NeverLeaned]

When looking directly at the temp gauge..........

Close both eyes........
Open your right
Close your right
Open your left
Close your left

Repeat til you realize that your eye is playing tricks on you, and either your temp is a tiny bit too low, or a tiny bit too high

:P

[Furious]

mine has always been a tiny bit too high.

[93 325i]

It's like that because of your point of view. I have noticed that when in the driver seat looking at the gauge it only looks as if it is a tick above middle. Move your head over to the right and look directly at the gauge straight on- the needle is now in the middle..

[BMW-ATI]

no i did that,. it's a tiny bit over the end

And someone have a pic for my icv on a 1994 325is?

[Furious]

icv is located below the intake man, loook for my M3 engine swap thread, theres a pic of it there somewhere.

[Gkamysz]

My manual said it is perfectly normal for it to reach as high as the beginning of the red part and be OK. This would only happen if it was really hot though. Like air on, sitting in traffic.

I've seen mine vary a touch high or low depending on how I was driving.

[NeverLeaned]

all kidding aside, those gauges aren't the most accurate devices to gauge engine temps. If your seriously concenred then I would consider installing aftermarket gauges to read water temps etc etc.

Im sure your just fine

[meph]

It's normal for the gauge to be like 1-2mm over the middle.

As for that comment that the manual states that it's okay for the gauge to be near red, that's bullshit... your risking to ruin your head gasket and the head itself running that hot.

The head is quite a fragile thing on M50 engines... well... actually all BMW inline six engines suffer that.

As for the gauges on the factory combi device... they are total bullshit... the water temp gauge's needle starts moving when the temperature is like 15C over normal...

I'm planning on installing aftermarket gauges for water temp, oil temp(motor, gearbox, rear diff, controller by a switch), oil pressure, vacuum and a voltmeter.

[Gkamysz]

Meph what else in my manual is bullshit?

[mrsoul]

Mine was going way over the center and into the red...I got the thermostat replaced and now its steady on the center position.

[BMW-ATI]

doesnt the thermostat affect how fast the fan spins?

if so how much is it to replace that sensor for it?

[97alpineM3]

Just so you guys know... the temp gauge in factory displays are run on descret signals from the sensor... there is nothing digital about them... its run on steps... not exactly a smooth power or display of the actual temperature. I have a read out of exactly what the gauge will display with what imputs... but its in a binder at my house... and I'm about 6500 miles from that at the moment.

Digital is were its at though...

Les

[fredo328]

stealer mechanic told me to just use the gauge as a reference point. It should almost always be at the at the same place when you drive unless its super hot-sitting in traffic kinda hot. If the needle starts to inch its way up from what is normal for you and its not super hot outside then something is going on that you or a shop needs to look at.