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Re: New E30 Purchase : Questions (archive)
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Posted by Larry on April 29, 2001 at 22:05:58:

In Reply to: New E30 Purchase : Questions posted by alex lynch on April 29, 2001 at 21:28:06:

Not sure I know the nature of the problem but in my car the temp gauge is very consisently just below the 12 o'clock position, AC on or off, idle or moving. I atribute it to brand new radiator and water pump/thermostat. I notice because my previous 2002 of 15 years ago was always running hot and I am on the constant look out for over-heating.

Again I don't know what the problem is you are descibing though it sounds like there may be no thermostat or one that is stuck open. With water simply flowing through the system it will change temps with the air flow through the radiator and not be set with the thermo. Obviously very easy to fix if that is the prob.

Find out who adjusted the valves and see if they were able to get the required 0.012. If they were then just deal with the noise or gap them A LITTLE tighter. If they weren't able to get the gap down to 0.012 then the concentrics (I think that is what they are called) could be worn or worse, the cam shaft could be worn and the noise you are hearing could be the larger than spec gap - Not a sign you need new valves.

Hope that helps

Larry


I am new to this list and have a couple of questions about a potential E30 purchase. The car is a 1989 325i with 155k miles. I have checked out most of the car but there are a couple of issues which seem a little strange. First, the engine temperature. When the car is idling with the A/C on, the temperature needle sits just below the 12 o'clock mark and stays there. However, when driving for a couple of minutes, the needle starts to drop and sits almost at the mark before the 12 o'clock mark. Stop and go driving causes the neddle to move back and forward. When stopped, the needle moves to the 12 o'clock position and when moving, the needle drops back. The outside temperature was around 85 degrees today. Second, the valves appear to be making a lot of noise despite the fact that the owner claims that the valve clearances were recently adjusted to 0.012 inch. Is this a sign of a need for new valves or just badly adjusted valves?

Thanks in advance

Alex Lynch




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