Cooling system bmw 323i

[victes]

During cold weather the engine doesn't warm up to the optimal temp. Is that thermostat problem?

[supervisor1886]

What temp? you people are all strange. If you need help -be more specific!!


If your rad gets warm when the engine is cold than its a stuck open thermostat. Replace it anyway.

beside this somebody could hve swaped the stat to a perfomance 160 one, which would make it run somewhat cooler. What does your gage look like? Temperature??

[abrittis]

Originally Posted by victes

During cold weather the engine doesn't warm up to the optimal temp. Is that thermostat problem?

Depending on the year of the 323i. The late 90's to 2000 323i is tied into the emissions control system - and if it is stuck open - should cause the check engine light to come on.

Older models wouldn't have this feature. But - if your temperature gauge remains lower than usual, and the car's heat isn't working well - is almost always caused by the thermostat being stuck open or opening prematurly.

Anthony

[supervisor1886]

Most of todays ECMs might not give any trouble codes for this. The ECM will consider the engine still cold, unless there is some sorta sensor conected to the stat.

[abrittis]

Good point - but I think late model BMWs have the coolent temp. tied into the ECM. I'm not sure about the late model 323, but my 2001 325i actually had the check engine light come on for coolent temperature being too low. (I can't remember the exact DTC code off the top of my head). Replacing the thermostat fixed the problem.

Anthony

[daniel 61]

Originally Posted by abrittis

Good point - but I think late model BMWs have the coolent temp. tied into the ECM. I'm not sure about the late model 323, but my 2001 325i actually had the check engine light come on for coolent temperature being too low. (I can't remember the exact DTC code off the top of my head). Replacing the thermostat fixed the problem.

Anthony

You right Anthony, 323 i/ci 1999-2000 also have this thing tied to ECM, so any thermostat/ coolant temp. problem will be manifested by the "check the engine" light.Error code will be P1624 for cars 323/328 equipped with M52TU engines.

[supervisor1886]

Dont be so sure about that. Many an ECU wont register faults at some situation.