coolant temp fluctuation

[castorcamber]

I am after advice regarding the coolant system on my 350I. When driving the car from cold but in normal ambient temperatures it seems to get up to temperature quite quickly and actually goes over normal towards the 100C before dropping down to 90C after what I imagined was the thermostat opening. It then stays at 90 odd until you pull up and the temp starts to rise. the fans kick in and it goes back to 90 as you would expect. However when I drove to the normal sunday meet in the freezing cold the other day it did not get above around 80C all the way there and back. I thought that the thermostat is supposed to restrict the flow to keep the coolant at the optimum temp. Does anyone with any knowledge of Coolant systems have any ideas. Please comment

[GreenV8S]

Sounds like it is running rather hot, maybe the gauge isn't calibrated properly or maybe your stat is the wrong rating. Overcooling indicates that your stat is leaking or faulty.

[digga951]

Mine used to do something similar. Turns out I had the 2 rad caps back to front. The "springy" one goes on the expansion tank, and the flat one goes on the metal swan neck. I changed them and now my temp gauge never moves off 80, except in traffic where the fans cut in at about 88.

I love your car btw. The green and gold wheels look amazing together.

[castorcamber]

Thanks very much, I have just changed the decals to gold so that they are the same as the wheels. I will check the caps in the morning, thanks

[swell610]

I have just bought a 350se. The temperature in traffic is fine at a steady 90 with fans cutting in. That said - the car is only running at 60-70 degrees on the motorway - I thought this might be down to the cold weather - should I get my stat checked?

[badredwedge]

swell610 said:

I have just bought a 350se. The temperature in traffic is fine at a steady 90 with fans cutting in. That said - the car is only running at 60-70 degrees on the motorway - I thought this might be down to the cold weather - should I get my stat checked?

For the cost its worth changing em if you have any doubts, just make sure you buy the right ones. ( thats one hell of a weird Wedgeything on your profile !!!!)

[s.hogan3]

if you change the stat talk to v8 developments thay have in stock a lower temp stat that thay req in there engines.
so the stat open just that bit sooner
this might help you
phone [phone] and say steve with the red 400se sent you