E36 Water Temp Problem

[ferry]

Hello member, I got a problem with the water temp gauge. The problem is sometime its working and sometime not working. The engine temp is stable but the meter shown drop and up, and repeatly sometime. Anybody can help me?? Try to change the meter motor at temp gauge panel... but still the same. it is possible due to O2 sensor problem.... TQ

 

[metalrizca]

wahh..
you got the same prob like mine e30..
dunno what happen..
the temperature gauge seems go crazy..

 

[ferry]

so how aaa....

what u have done to solve this problem??

Pening kepala!!

 

[leforte]

if your are lucky your radiator might just have air pockets within due to improper bleeding. worst case scenario would be a fail water pump or termostat as both item regulates the circulation of vital cooling agent within the engine.

your temperature gauge may show cold as there may not be any water circulating between the hot engine and the radiator. and since our temperature sensor is located at the expansion tank, a hot/over heating engine may not even be detected as the water in the radiator stays cold from no circution of water.

but when your engine is really hot/ over heating, water thats in the engine will boil and turn to steam and at a very high pressure will force open the termostat. water will circulate from the engine to the radiator and only then, WiLL your temperature sensor shows hot on the temperature gauge.

YOU should get you car check by a competent mechanic ASAP. prolonging this will result in a cracked/blown radiator, blown head gasket or even worst still, a seized engine. all of which will be costly to to repair.

 

[E3six]

Check your temperature sensor, located under manifold if your ride is M50TU, i changed the sensor then everything back to normal.

All the best!

 

[leforte]

the temperature sensor under your manifold is for your air intake calculation.

what FERRY should check is the one located in the expansion tank for the water temperature.

 

[E3six]

Check your temperature sensor, located under manifold if your ride is M50TU, i changed the sensor then everything back to normal.

All the best!

I mean the sensor is at the cyclinder head, look down below manifold.

 

[pussy]

guys, both of you are right.. one is talking about sensor, the other one about the blead screw..

cool...

 

[E3six]

guys, both of you are right.. one is talking about sensor, the other one about the blead screw..

cool...

I'm just try to help......nothing personal !!!!!

 

[ferry]

thankz for your information. i think also temperature sensor cause the problem. i have change temperature gauge motor but still the same.

 

[metalrizca]

do e30 would have the same prob..?

 

[flash]

Nope, the plastic impeller problem is a well known problem for the M50s... and nope, should not affect your E30 unless you have an M50 engine in there.

do e30 would have the same prob..?

 

[E3six]

oh...and yes for got to mention...mine is an M50 engine

Glad to hear you got your problem solve.

Recently i change my water pump to metal propeller type and metal thermostat housing, cost me a bomb.!!!!!! But at least i can sleep in peace.

 

[Lee36328]

e36... plastic impeller water pump... duh!

 

[E3six]

my is metal impeller water pump.....

 

[flash]

e36... plastic impeller water pump... duh!

Not forgetting the plastic expansion tank which has to cope with high pressure and heat... double duh....

 

[teejay]

the plastic impeller had a life span

the life span is the same as the pulley belts

so change your water pump when you change your belts, you should be fine

but if you do change to the metal type, whould you have a clue when to change it? moving parts have a certain degree of functionality, thus the life span

bmw made the plastic ones to be changed with the belts, so if it just fails for no reason, then susect it was never changed before, when it was suppose to be changed

anyway, there are a few "metal" impeller around, be careful with those "china" made ones, i've personally seen those, and would rather buy the plastic ones, just check if those metal ones are from bmw specific or "aftermarket" ones.....

 

[E3six]

the plastic impeller had a life span

the life span is the same as the pulley belts

so change your water pump when you change your belts, you should be fine

but if you do change to the metal type, whould you have a clue when to change it? moving parts have a certain degree of functionality, thus the life span

bmw made the plastic ones to be changed with the belts, so if it just fails for no reason, then susect it was never changed before, when it was suppose to be changed

anyway, there are a few "metal" impeller around, be careful with those "china" made ones, i've personally seen those, and would rather buy the plastic ones, just check if those metal ones are from bmw specific or "aftermarket" ones.....

Thanks TJ.....good to know advantage and disadvantage of the metal impeller pump.

Just for sharing,
This is my 2nd time use metal impeller, 1st one failed after clock for abt 52K Km (abt 3.5 year of driving ) if i remember correctly. Pump failed due to leaking, not the impeller broken, lose or anything else.

Keep track of mileleage b4 part breakdown is also a one way of precaution or change water pump every 2 time of pully belt change hehe...... My 2 cents lah......!!!!!

 

[teejay]

Thanks TJ.....good to know advantage and disadvantage of the metal impeller pump.

Just for sharing,
This is my 2nd time use metal impeller, 1st one failed after clock for abt 52K Km (abt 3.5 year of driving ) if i remember correctly. Pump failed due to leaking, not the impeller broken, lose or anything else.

Keep track of mileleage b4 part breakdown is also a one way of precaution or change water pump every 2 time of pully belt change hehe...... My 2 cents lah......!!!!!

Which part did it leak from?
think the design of the metal was not consistant with the other parts, thus more wear and tear when impeller is made from a different material, even my pond impeller fails due to plastic exhaustion, but then maybe my kois are pooing too much....

good idea to keep track of the mileage too, 1 belt change is roughly how long would you say? 30k-40k?

 

[E3six]

Which part did it leak from?
think the design of the metal was not consistant with the other parts, thus more wear and tear when impeller is made from a different material, even my pond impeller fails due to plastic exhaustion, but then maybe my kois are pooing too much....

good idea to keep track of the mileage too, 1 belt change is roughly how long would you say? 30k-40k?

leaking due to "Rubber O Ring" and shown water mark at the housing as well, but i change the complete set lah.....dun want to take risk.