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Overheating, eliminated everything, what next?!


brian2002

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Hi Guys,


 


I just bought a ’74 2002 in need of a bit of TLC.


 


I’ve been getting a few bits and pieces sorted, but I’m stumped on one issue. It’s running too hot to the point where I have to turn it off. I first of all checked the stat and the pipe coming out of the bottom was cold, therefore I thought easy fix, replace the stat. I did this and it’s exactly the same. So I then flushed the rad and replaced the water pump. No change exactly the same. I should add that I tested both stats and both are working fine.


 


I took the stat out of one of the housings and ran a flushing fluid though it to clean the inside of the block etc. While I was doing this (without a stat) I couldn’t get the temp gauge to half way, it stuck at 1/4, therefore under heating…


 


Any ideas on what the issue might be?


 


Thanks,


Brian


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Have you grounded the cluster, a bad ground will cause issues with the Temp gauge miss read.

 

Use the search function on the upper right corner.

Andrew Wilson
Vern- 1973 2002tii, https://www.bmw2002faq.com/blogs/blog/304-andrew-wilsons-vern-restoration/ 
Veronika- 1968 1600 Cabriolet, Athena- 1973 3.0 CSi,  Rodney- 1988 M5, The M3- 1997 M3,

The Unicorn- 2007 X3, Julia- 2007 Z4 Coupe, Ophelia- 2014 X3, Herman- 1914 KisselKar 4-40

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It would of been a nice fix!

 

Yep, tested both and both working perfectly. I now have the new stat in it and the old housing with the stat out so I can run without stat if needs be..

 

It's very strange alright but someone must of encountered it before


It would of been a nice fix!

 

Yep, tested both and both working perfectly. I now have the new stat in it and the old housing with the stat out so I can run without stat if needs be..

 

It's very strange alright but someone must of encountered it before

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Have you grounded the cluster, a bad ground will cause issues with the Temp gauge miss read.

 

Use the search function on the upper right corner.

This sounds more like it as the electrics need some work... but it still wouldn't explain why the pipe coming out of the stat is cold (unless the temp hasn't even come close to it making it open and I'm turning it off because I'm worried I will be causing damage to the engine)

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Do coolant system pressure test

Do engine compression test

Are you loosing coolant?

Did coolant seems have oil in it when you flushed it

Remove valve cover to see if coolant mixed with oil present in cylinder head

Have you changed engine oil yet? Look for milky and foamy oil when oil drained

I'm thinking you either have blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head. Let's hope not

Edited by Buckeye

76 2002 Sienabraun

2015 BMW F10

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Also, worth pointing out that the L red light on the dash is on, and when I test the batt on idle I'm getting 11.5. Therefore the alternator needs to be refurbished at some point I think. I wonder would this contribute to a dodgy gauge...

 

Check the bail wire on the back of the alternator, make sure plug is clean and tight. Could be a bad voltage regulator. Could be a bad ground wire on the alternator too. Search for L light.

Andrew Wilson
Vern- 1973 2002tii, https://www.bmw2002faq.com/blogs/blog/304-andrew-wilsons-vern-restoration/ 
Veronika- 1968 1600 Cabriolet, Athena- 1973 3.0 CSi,  Rodney- 1988 M5, The M3- 1997 M3,

The Unicorn- 2007 X3, Julia- 2007 Z4 Coupe, Ophelia- 2014 X3, Herman- 1914 KisselKar 4-40

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If you have an infrared thermometer, check the 'actual' temps.  I'm with brian2002, it may not actually be up to temp and you are getting a high reading.  Until you can confirm the thermo is or isn't working, you may be throwing money at the wrong things.  You can also put the thermostat in a pot of water and start heating it on the stove to confim that it is functioning.

 

If you don't have an infrared thermometer, get one.  They are cheap and they are handy for many other things as well.

 

That's how I would start looking at this issue.  Your mileage may vary.

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Ok, looks like adawil2002 was on the money. I hooked up earth wires like Mike suggests in this thread to the back of the cluster. I put it all back together and was going to wait for it to "overheat" again and then I was going to put thew new wires on a body earth and see if the gauge dropped, but I didn't need to as it showed normal readings. So my guess here is that by me taking the connection on and off has reconnected a dodgy earth, problem sorted!

 

Pity I didn't know this before I replaced the stat, water pump and not to mention the heartache incurred!

 

Appreciate the help, super forum.

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"Pity I didn't know this before I replaced the stat, water pump and not to mention the heartache incurred!"

The very reason I read everything I can about a problem before attempting to resolve.

Search is your friend!

I just end up replacing it all since most of it was old anyways. I also don't know what I'm doing most of the time. :)

Edited by thinksound_mike

mike tunney

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