e36 328 cooling

[andyiley]

Hi guys, I have a question for the masses of knowledge out there on PH.

I have an e36 328 track car & noticed the other day when I was out that it is now running a bit warmer than normal.

I have had it fitted with a 320 stat as that opens at 82 IIRC whereas the 328 one opens at 88, this normally means that on the road it runs at 2/5 of the temp gauge & on track will get up to 1/2.

I noticed the other day that it was at 1/2 on the road.

I do remember hearing that there are cooling issues with these engines, but not what they are specifically.

Can anyone assist me in this question, ie. What are the nominal issues & where should I be looking first?

Thanks guys.

[andyiley]

Thanks for that Dan, I thought it might be the pump, but will check the rad & replace the stat as a matter of course.

The rad on my e39 530 was replaced due to bulging last year as a precaution.

[andyiley]

Thanks for that, another thing to check.

[andyiley]

Am I right in thinking that the issue with the pump is either plastic impellers that should be changed for metal or vice versa?

Just to help me get the right pump, if I need one.

[andyiley]

Thanks P, I did know of the newspaper test, just not what the weak points are of the system.

Thanks again, very much.

[andyiley]

Thanks again, I didn't know about the visual side of that issue.

[andyiley]

Update for you guys.

The stat has been changed & is fine, the viscous coupling has been checked & is fine, the rad has been checked & is fine, I have now recieved a new pump & that will be changed on Monday.

When this is complete I will be happy that all is as it should be going forward for the next many years.

I will update when this is completed.

Then, I will be doing the viscous fan delete mod (as it is a track car) and replaceing the (noe seized) A/C fan, ehich is probably the actual problem now I found it today.