One Hot M3
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
Forum Discription: Ask your BMW M Power Technical Questions here (M1, M2 hybrids, M3, M5 & M6)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=11504
Printed Date: 27-May-2024 at 06:12
Topic: One Hot M3
Posted By: andyclient
Subject: One Hot M3
Date Posted: 26-October-2004 at 13:02
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Hi I have just purchased an E30 M3 which everything is great until i get stuck in traffic and the engine temp creeps up to a worrying level. At first i thought it was the fan switch as when the terminals are touched together the fan works ok ,thus eliminating the actual fan. But on closer examination i noticed the bottom of the rad and bottom hose was cold so i then thought thermostat. Preparing myself to pay the £69 + vat for a thermostat i thought i would give it one last check and found the bottom hose to be hot and the rad to be hot at the bottom but not as hot where the switch is,maybe a silted up rad ? Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar problem and how they cured it! Many thanks Andy |
Replies:
Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 26-October-2004 at 13:17
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What year is your M3?
It sounds like an earlier one as the temperature switch is on the radiator. Later car have a dual temperature switch right by the themostat. ------------- Kevin '04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 26-October-2004 at 13:32
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yes it is an early one 1988 i did notice the blanking plugs in the thermostat housing the whole set up seems a bit suspect to me ie Top and Bottom hose on the same side of the rad and the fan switch in the opposite corner , is there a possible modification ?? Thanks Andy |
Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 26-October-2004 at 13:42
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I believe there is an upgrade that you could do. I haven't researched it as mine already has the later position of the temperature switch but if I find something I'll let you know. ------------- Kevin '04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 26-October-2004 at 13:47
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Much appreciated regards Andy |
Posted By: lyndonbuck
Date Posted: 27-October-2004 at 04:50
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Your radiator is probably original - they seem to last 15 years or
so - I just got a new one for mine - bit less than £200 but worth it for peace of mind. Make sure you get a proper one - BMW use behr i think Oh yes and make sure you check all your water hoses as they are probably 16 years old too |
Posted By: e30m3
Date Posted: 27-October-2004 at 04:52
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I had this problem with mine, found that a new rad helped keep it cool ------------- Andy 1987 M3 - Henna red, UK supplied 1971 V12 Jaguar E-type - Midnight blue 1991 205 GTI - Black track car 2003 Tonykart Venox Rotax Max |
Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 27-October-2004 at 13:00
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on testing again today the bottom of the thermostat housing and therefore the bottom hose & bottom of the rad was still cold so i 'm going to bite the bullet and go with a new thermostat to start with !! Fingers crossed and all that ?? Many thanks for excellent feedback Kind regards Andy |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 27-October-2004 at 14:23
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If it isnt the thermostat. It does sound like a pump. ------------- Rich. 
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Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 27-October-2004 at 17:54
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Hi Thats interesting are the pumps all steel ? There is no noise coming from it i'm hoping it is ok but how do i check ???? regards Andy |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 29-October-2004 at 13:53
Ive been told its a plastic impellor on a metal bearing. Interference fit. Over time it comes off its shaft (oo-er  )
I was going on the lack of circulation issue. Easy way to check is to watch the return pipe to the header tank. Shouls be a flow all the time the engines running. ------------- Rich.
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andyclient wrote:Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 29-October-2004 at 15:02
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Thanks Rich Yes there is a constant flow back to the header tank , New Thermostat arrived today Fingers crossed that this will solve the prob Will keep informed of progress |
Posted By: SteveM
Date Posted: 31-October-2004 at 06:45
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It's worth flushing out the entire cooling system and radiator to get rid of any sludge build up. (Garden hose shoved into ebery orifice possible and left to run till the water is clear). ------------- Steve Scottish Cecotto |
Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 31-October-2004 at 08:14
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Good News Thermostat fitted problem sorted !! A Big Thanks to you all for your help and suggestions especially Kevin Cheers Andy |
