1997 Z3 1.9lt temperature question

[Trevore77]

I’ve just picked up a nice Z3 1.9 L roadster and the temperature gauge is running constantly at 3/4

. Is this a problem? Or is that just the way these motors run?

 

[Ianmc]

Should be rock solid in the middle.

 

[colb]

Normally the needle should be at 12o'clock position, yours is running hot, maybe a stuck closed thermostat causing it?

 

[Trevore77]

Normally the needle should be at 12o'clock position, yours is running hot, maybe a stuck closed thermostat causing it?

Thanks mate. Yes I drove it for two hours home and it went up to that point and stayed there. I just purchased a car so it is under warranty from a dealer so I’m hoping that I will fix it.

 

[Trevore77]

Thanks mate. Yes I drove it for two hours home and it went up to that point and stayed there. I just purchased a car so it is under warranty from a dealer so I’m hoping that I will fix it.

Sorry, I meant they will fix it

 

[Duncodin]

Mine is a 1.9 M44 engine. The needle always stays left of centre. I'm guessing mine has got some crud in there stopping it closing fully. Your's likely has something stopping it opening fully.

At over 25 years old it's overdue having all the hoses and plastic pipes replaced and I'll do the thermostat etc at the same time.

 

[Trevore77]

I noticed the other day after running five minutes in the garage but the hose on the left was cold and the hose on the right was hot which I’m gathering a sign of the thermostat sticking

 

[Ianmc]

Likely a sticking thermostat given the symptoms. Should be an easy fix for the garage.

 

[Duncodin]

I noticed the other day after running five minutes in the garage but the hose on the left was cold and the hose on the right was hot which I’m gathering a sign of the thermostat sticking

When you say 'left' 'right' I assume you mean standing in front of the car looking down into the engine. The hose going from the engine to the top of the radiator will be hotter. It's coming hot from the engine. The hose from the bottom of radiator would be colder. That's going back to the engine after being cooled in the rad.

 

[Trevore77]

Good point. After the car has been running for awhile would the pipe on the left-hand side going into the motor be semi warm or would it always be quite cool?

 

[Trevore77]

When you say 'left' 'right' I assume you mean standing in front of the car looking down into the engine. The hose going from the engine to the top of the radiator will be hotter. It's coming hot from the engine. The hose from the bottom of radiator would be colder. That's going back to the engine after being cooled in the rad.

Thanks for your input much appreciated