e34 engine performance

[bimmerman]

Could be all that underhood insulation causing hot air to accumulate underhood with no where to go. I once had an old Merc 123 300D. Since it was Diesel, underhood padding was extra thick. The car would always run so hot. Temperature needle was over 100 degrees during hot days.

Finally cut a 4 inch by 6 inch hole in the bonnet and put a Jap airscoop on top. The car never touched 80 degrees again even in a jam!

The answer could be in a simple thing such a vent!

 

[flash]

Originally posted by 535i+Apr 18 2005, 08:25 PM-->QUOTE (535i @ Apr 18 2005, 08:25 PM)

 

[flash]

Originally posted by Zoggee+Apr 18 2005, 08:08 PM-->QUOTE (Zoggee @ Apr 18 2005, 08:08 PM)

 

[bal3056]

Bimmerman may be right, the underhood temp can be very high and needs venting away the hot air trapped inside. I noticed my E34 when you open the bonnet, there's a rubber seal at the front of bonnet and another one at/near the windshield cowl area that runs to the sides as well. So i guess when it is shut, the rubber seals all the hot air inside. GREAT for wintery weather to increase temp fast.

But so far my E34 hasn't reached over-centre-mark yet even in worst hot days, but do feel the car sluggish at centre temp. When it goes down to midway bet 1/4 & 1/2, it performs quite well.

Maybe, just maybe ..... we need to take off the front bonnet seal & the side seal to allow outside cooler air to flow thru the gaps. The rear seal is a bit risky as the ECUs/fuses are located there, we don't want water damaging the electronics/circuitry, do we?

I noticed most Jap cars don't have these seals for front and sides, the cars that I know of. Maybe the newer generation ones do have them.

HM

 

[pussy]

Originally posted by flash+Apr 18 2005, 08:19 PM-->QUOTE (flash @ Apr 18 2005, 08:19 PM)

Originally posted by Zoggee@Apr 18 2005, 08:08 PM

 

[E34EuroTouring]

E34 runs pretty hot and as many pointed out the hood insulation is really overkill!. One way would be to reduce or even cut some holes in the insulation to get more airflow. Putting hood vents would make too much of a "ricer" statement....

Also, for older cars, the AFM or MAF temp sensor may not be so effective, thus not measuring as hot as it actually it. So it engine may run a bit richer resulting in less power and more consumption!. Sometimes a good clean of these parts will improve things somewhat.

Night driving when it is cooler are times when the E34 likes and so are rainly days where the air is denser. I find that the older M20 engine is more sensitive to temp changes than M50TU engines. They are rather different technologies, so it seems advancement has its benefits.

Guys, for E34 to run well, all fluids needs to be right level and good condition. Worn parts replaced and this engine will service you for years without major hassle.

Driving the car hard is a good thing sometime to burn off those pesky deposits from bad gasoline etc. I do this with my BMW often, gun the throttle on an open stretch....