I have a 1991 bmw. The temperature gage usually is at between 50% and 75% hot. Is that normal?

Question

I have a 1991 bmw. The temperature gage usually is at between 50% and 75% hot. Is that normal?

Answer 1

You haven't mentioned how many miles on this car. It is normal for the temp gage to fluctuate around 50% (straight up and down) because the cooling fan is operating to prevent over heating. To improve efficiency on this automotive miracle of engineering, you should do the following things. First of all, make sure that there is no debris build-up in the space between the radiator and the A/C condenser. Over time, leaves and insects accumulate here. You can do this yourself at a do-it-yourself car wash. You may have to bring a socket wrench to remove a cover plate to reach this area. While you are at it, be sure to clean the entire engine compartment until it looks like show-room, factory new.  Doing this will allow engine heat to dissipate more quickly and prevent the formation of "hot spots". remember that, YOU MUST USE ONLY GENUINE BMW COOLANT IN THIS CAR!!!!! using the wrong formulation of coolant WILL cause premature failure of cooling system components and expensive gaskets. If you have never had your cooling system flushed and changed, DO SO NOW!! Another thing to do to improve efficiency and longevity here is to have your engine de-sludged, especially if you have NOT been using synthetic oil. You can E-mail me back for the best way to do this. This being accomplished, find a source for ELF oil, which is made in Europe with a special formulation for BMW cars. With this oil, drain intervals are stretched and internal frictions are removed.  Also, the cleansing effect of it's use will make the inside of your engine VERY HAPPY!!!! You should only need to change this oil once a year. Also this will keep your crankcase ventilation system cleaner. You may need, at this point, to have this "breathing" system cleaned with Gum-Out. This will prevent sludge build-up in the future. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Do you live somewhere where it is hot ? that might be the reason, make sure you have enough coolant in the car - to prevent over heating. If it is driving normal I would not worry, but if you start seeing smoke coming out from under the hood, then your car is overheated and you need to turn it off immediately. I recommend calling your BMW dealership and asking them. They would know better.

Answer 3

Its normal. If you watch the cooling fan while the engine is running. The fan kinda freewheels until the radiator temp gets to a certain temp and then the cooling fan clutch will kick in and the fan will start to draw air thru the radiator.Temp will get up to around 3/4 before fan clutch kicks in.