Red Baron Pt. II Cooling!

shebuilt · Post by **shebuilt** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:22 am

As previously posted, there was many upgrades performed on my baby.

Latest is radiator was bored and he definitely runs so much cooler - I can physically feel it!

We have performed all tests possible from 3 different indy's. Latest issue I need help or opinions on:

Ran car for about 45 minutes and gauge stays about 3/4. Eventually crept up towards red. Temp gun read no more that 186 in most points...I can also feel this engine is no where near what the temp gauge reads.

When driving it cools to below mid point and stays a dream. Idle makes that needle move but not as before.

Some say gauge, but my confusion is why would it move when driving and idling if it weren't reading correct?

What should my next steps be gents?

***SIDE NOTE - boy am I glad this baby is cooler!

Jeff Dennis · Post by **Jeff Dennis** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:30 am

I would start with the coolant temp sensor clean the contacts and replace if necessary.

shebuilt · Post by **shebuilt** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:21 pm

Thanks Jeff.

Well I went out to check a few things and while doing so let it run for about 20 30 minutes. It went to the mid mark between 1/2 and 3/4 and was climbing. Car seemed as usual cool...

I decided to thump the cluster and the gauge bounced back to about 1/4 before half way mark and held. Tried thumping again but didn't jump.

Don't know what this means?

bizz · Post by **bizz** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:48 pm

Probably a good time to pull the cluster & clean up the connections:

http://m.odometergears.com/howto/E12_cl ... repair.pdf

edit - this links is probably more suitable:
http://www.firstfives.org/faq/instrumen ... er_faq.htm

shebuilt · Post by **shebuilt** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:58 pm

Thanks Bizz...on the way to that as soon as I get back from Florida!

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:52 pm

Nikki
Remember to change your radiator cap.
Good luck in Florida,,,,Greg

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:33 pm

shebuilt wrote:Thanks Jeff.

Well I went out to check a few things and while doing so let it run for about 20 30 minutes. It went to the mid mark between 1/2 and 3/4 and was climbing. Car seemed as usual cool...

I decided to thump the cluster and the gauge bounced back to about 1/4 before half way mark and held. Tried thumping again but didn't jump.

Don't know what this means?

That says bad ground. On a number of BMWs, I've run an extra ground between the engine and the body and it has helped out wonky temp gauges. Other clues are if it changes with the headlights, turn signals or heater blower. It might be in the cluster, you might have to clean up the connections or the plastic film with copper on it. Even after all that I had one car, an E24, that none of that worked on. Until I noticed the gauge was almost out of the blue before the car was even started for the day.