Overheating Problem with my 318is (Electric Thermo Fan Solution Options Please)

[318iTurbo]

Hi all

The other day I had the heater core inlet break on me and my car obviously overheated. I pulled over and waited for road side assistance then had the car towed home once we realised it wasn't driveable.

I have been trying to find out what "kit" I need to replace the stock clutch fan with an electric fan. I have found this one:

http://www.bimmerworld.com/Cooling/Cooling_Kits/E36-Electric-Fan-Conversion-Kit-9-95.html

Would this kit or the equivalent be good enough to keep my car cool while driving? I have done the following tests on it to work out what is wrong.

1. Bypassed the heater core in/outs and topped up the radiator then took the car for a solid drive for ten minutes and the temp sat on half way the whole time except for when I was driving slowly which makes me think insufficient air is being circulated to the radiator. ( I haven't bled it yet as I need a day to work out exactly what to do and how)

2. Stuck my hand (yes my hand) in to the clutch fan while the car is running and the fan just stopped, this was done after placing a newspaper into the fan, I'm not that silly)

3. I have completed a visual inspection of the car and it looks like the thermostat housing has been replaced as the hose clamps on either side are new and not OEM.

4. Tomorrow I will take the car to my mechanic and have him pressure test the system to see if there are any leaks.

I am confident enough with working on cars to be able to install the kit myself if this is the right one or I can source the parts locally (Adelaide Australia.)

Any help is appreciated.

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[jclausen]

Your engine will run perfectly fine if you fix what is needed, fan clutches do wear out. It will be a lot more work to do the electric fan ect. I really see no need to waste your money on needless mods

[Eric93se]

Replace thermostat, water pump, clutch and fan.

It would be good to do a compression test before spending any money.

[318iTurbo]

I've got the car up at the Auto Electrician looking at the thermo fan replacement options. I was always going to go this way so doing the mod now doesn't really bother me. Getting the water pump etc done will cost me more than the thermo fan here in Australia as parts seem hard to come by. I am also 60 kilometres from my BMW mechanic so I h
have to do my best locally with things like this. Once I can get the car running cool I can drive it to my mechanic for the rest of the work. The Auto Electrician says he can do a decent electronic fan upgrade with premium parts for a good price so I'll see what he comes up with.

[318iTurbo]

Fixed my initial overheating problem with a digitally controlled electric thermo fan kit installed yesterday. We set the fan to come on at 80deg C and the car has run fine ever since. The temp gauge sits just under half and I noticed a slight increase in responsiveness without the laggy clutch fan.

Water Pump and Thermostat are being done tomorrow as on inspection the water pump appears to never have been chnaged!

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