<E30><M42>[Long]Another E30 overheating help request

["Andrew C. Stoffel" <acs@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Having seen the recent E30 overheating question & advice I thought
I would ask a similar question that wasn't answered by that thread.


Basic Fact: During the summer months (this is the 2nd summer I've 
owned my bimmer) I've observed that when the temperature outside
gets above 60F the temperature gauge needle goes past 1/2 way
but very rarely gets to 3/4 of the way.

I would like to get this fixed. It makes me a bit nervous.

Some possibly related factoids:

- - I had the thermometer checked last summer when I first noticed 
  this. Nothing seemed to be wrong with it.

- - Replaced the fan clutch last summer - no long lasting effect

- - The temperature reading seems to vary depending upon the 
  position of the car (uphill = higher, downhill = lower, 
  level = just past mid-way )

- - Going from fast to slow semi-quickly (eg. from thru-way-to-
  offramp-to-stop) casuses gauge to read higher

- - The aux fan comes on if I turn on the A/C (observed when
  parked w/engine running)

- - It got MUCH "worse" after the SI lights came on (they're still
  on) this summer. Never noticed this last summer, possibly due 
  to other factors.

- - After an oil change/SI light reset last summer gauge seemed "almost
  normal"... 

- - I cleaned corrosion from "ground" connection on antenna last year
  and temp. gauge seemed closer to normal (But was told this is not 
  one of the grounding points for car so it must be co-incidental)

- - Coolant level seems normal.

- - other possibly related electrical "issues" in car at this time: 

  	- brake warning light on
	- dead radio
	- wiper motor "suffered" last winter & is due for a failure
	- aftermarket car alarm "blows fuses" when turned on with a
	  new fuse

Any advice would be appreciated. Especially on a starting point...

I'm assuming it COULD be one of the following (And help narrowing this
down would be appreciated)

	- bad temperature gauge
	- bad thermometer
	- water pump 
	- clogged radiator
	- something electrical

Thanks

- -Andy-
- -- 
#--------------------------------------------------------------
# Andy Stoffel        [E30][M42] '91 318iS       BMWCCA# 138911

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