Discussion
Hi all
Not counting my chickens yet but I think I've sorted it
Wasn't able to pick up the laser thermometer today but thought id strip out the engine stat and test it - after all its only a 5 minute job.... And that's all it was for a change
5 mins later I had the stat in a boiling pan of water on top of the cooker (yes the wife's out) and nothing -its not even attempting to open.
Flushed the rad and put the car back together without a stat fitted and ran it up - all seemed well so nipped out for a run and its running super cool - around 60 degrees while moving and even after idling on the drive for 10 min it had only hit 70.
Not lost any coolant and its not getting super-pressurized like before ,no bubbles in coolant
My cooling system is different from a standard 350i and I'm wondering if that's why it was blowing coolant out when it overheated - there's just not enough expansion room in the coolant reservoir at high temperatures??
The new adjustable fan stat I fitted isn't very accurate - temp gauge was showing 60 degrees which is probably about right as I could comfortably rest my hand on the top hose but the fan was running until I adjusted it to above 75 degrees . Will have to get the laser thermometer out to get it set up properly once I fit a new engine stat.
The fluctuations in the gauge on the run up to the fest was probably the stat on its way out and slowly failing until it gave up the ghost last week and just started overheating every time.
I'll order a new stat (88 degree like the one that came out) and report back to confirm all is well
Once again guys thanks for your input - it cant be easy trying to diagnose a problem from my appallingly poor descriptions of the symptoms
Thanks all
Ron
Not counting my chickens yet but I think I've sorted it
Wasn't able to pick up the laser thermometer today but thought id strip out the engine stat and test it - after all its only a 5 minute job.... And that's all it was for a change
5 mins later I had the stat in a boiling pan of water on top of the cooker (yes the wife's out) and nothing -its not even attempting to open.Flushed the rad and put the car back together without a stat fitted and ran it up - all seemed well so nipped out for a run and its running super cool - around 60 degrees while moving and even after idling on the drive for 10 min it had only hit 70.
Not lost any coolant and its not getting super-pressurized like before ,no bubbles in coolant
My cooling system is different from a standard 350i and I'm wondering if that's why it was blowing coolant out when it overheated - there's just not enough expansion room in the coolant reservoir at high temperatures??
The new adjustable fan stat I fitted isn't very accurate - temp gauge was showing 60 degrees which is probably about right as I could comfortably rest my hand on the top hose but the fan was running until I adjusted it to above 75 degrees . Will have to get the laser thermometer out to get it set up properly once I fit a new engine stat.
The fluctuations in the gauge on the run up to the fest was probably the stat on its way out and slowly failing until it gave up the ghost last week and just started overheating every time.
I'll order a new stat (88 degree like the one that came out) and report back to confirm all is well
Once again guys thanks for your input - it cant be easy trying to diagnose a problem from my appallingly poor descriptions of the symptoms
Thanks all
Ron
Good news!
If your rad is OK the 88 degree stat is fine, that's what I run with a blower on there, now mine is fixed it no longer gets hot after I cane it, in fact the reverse because the air flow at speed through the rad is much better.
You don't want to overcool these engines, it's not good for the liners.
If your rad is OK the 88 degree stat is fine, that's what I run with a blower on there, now mine is fixed it no longer gets hot after I cane it, in fact the reverse because the air flow at speed through the rad is much better.
You don't want to overcool these engines, it's not good for the liners.
adam quantrill said:
Good news!
You don't want to overcool these engines, it's not good for the liners.
Adam, good that an 88 works for you, but I think the general view on temperature is that higher temps can lead to slipped liners. Overcooling can also be problematic (if you run Lucas engine management, where the cold running fuelling doesn't drop out until 60 degrees I think) which can lead to bore wash. You don't want to overcool these engines, it's not good for the liners.
I thought there was more of a problem with liner or piston ring wear if the oil is too cold (for sustained running). Hopefully Leigh will be along to shed some light as I am too lazy to research it this morning ;^)
Also I thought liner slip was more of a problem on later blocks, 4.5 and 5l (but before top hat liners) but I may be misremembering.
Also I thought liner slip was more of a problem on later blocks, 4.5 and 5l (but before top hat liners) but I may be misremembering.
The Hatter said:
Good News Ron! It make you wonder about the quality of some of the parts that are available.
Exactly what i harp on about....Was this a fleabag purchase Ron?..Its always best to steer people way from such tat...Unless it was from a reputable source in which case "Were all doomed"
Number 7 said:
Thought they would use a better gasket than the one they sell esp for the price.I forget now where I got mine from but they was made the same was as the new composite valley gaskets, i.e. metal coated both sides with a think felt/rubber coating. they are very good though, esp with the poor surfaces on the Rv8's
Hi all
Normal service is resumed.
New 82 degree stat with jiggle pin received and fitted.
Been out for a run and its back to normal, temperature hovering around the mid 80s degree mark
On sitting on the drive all seems to work well, temp rises to 88degrees, stat opens, fan kicks in and temp falls to 82 degrees,stat closes, temp rises to 88 degrees etc etc
Thanks for all the advice and support
Ron
Normal service is resumed.
New 82 degree stat with jiggle pin received and fitted.
Been out for a run and its back to normal, temperature hovering around the mid 80s degree mark
On sitting on the drive all seems to work well, temp rises to 88degrees, stat opens, fan kicks in and temp falls to 82 degrees,stat closes, temp rises to 88 degrees etc etc
Thanks for all the advice and support
Ron
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