325is running too COLD???

[Sakas]

Just purchased a 1990 325is, stock, 107,000 miles. I pushed it to about 120 on the freeway last night (just for a minute) in the middle of a 2-hour drive and noticed that it was still running really cool. The temp gauge needle was only at about a quarter. Air temp outside was about 75-80. Is it supposed to run this cool?

[GoodChance]

Mine always runs at 1/4 of the temp guage.

[RickSloan]

your thermostat is probably stuck open, its not going to hurt anything real bad, but i would replace the thermostat its quick, cheap and easy. Its best to run at operating temps which is around half on the gauge.

[Sakas]

thanks guys, Another noob question then, does this vehicle require special anti-freeze?

[RickSloan]

nope just make sure you get the universal stuff

[strad]

The answer is yes, or no, depending on who's answering. Use BMW coolant to be safe. You should flush the entire system if it has something else in it (if it's not blue, it's something else). And, use distilled water (very, very important).

[barbierij]

Mine runs at 1/4 all the time as well in my '90iX. I drilled a tiny hole in the thermostat to make it easier to bleed the system.

[danmartin]

Yeah really sounds like its the t-stat thats stuck open, I wouldn't worry about any special coolant.

[guategordon]

Run the blue stuff, that is what the factory ordered. It does not cost that much more and you only need to change it ever 2 years so just use the real stuff...

I think the distilled water is more an issue of the water quality where you live. If your water is full of minerals and chlorine then I would run distilled. Here in the NW where we drink pure mountain water I can't see it making much of a difference.

[Ruffian]

I think the distilled water is more an issue of the water quality where you live. If your water is full of minerals and chlorine then I would run distilled. Here in the NW where we drink pure mountain water I can't see it making much of a difference.

+1. I wouldn't worry about the "coolness". If you just got your car, it'll register and the gauge will be different for each car. What you're really looking for is a change from the norm. At 120mph, you will more than likely see a cooler running car as circulation will be up in the engine, AND going faster will dissipate more heat from the radiator.

[VacMan]

The PO of your car might have swapped to a cooler thermostat too, especially if you bought it locally to you. I put a 75C in the last time I did one on a car and it ran at just over 1/4 all the time. You can also buy a 71C which would run really cool.

Tim