Does this sound like a worn radiator?

[///Mizzou3]

My car has always had problems on the interstate with running hot. Around town or anything below 60 MPH it's fine. I have a new thermostat and radiator cap on the car.

Anytime during the day (~90 degrees) if I decide to drive on the interstate the temperature guage will rise just below the red (70 MPH). If I slow down the temperature drops to a more comfortable level. If I drive slow in the heat I have no problems.

Here's the weird part. If I drive the same interstate stuff at night (~75 degrees) at the same speeds, I don't run hot. To me if a twenty degree difference is between overheating and not, I'm thinking the radiator has some crap in it or is just aged. I've flushed it out with water several times when I did the themostat before putting the coolant in.

[winstontj]

Call up Curt Ingraham and get yourself an [/i]improved radiator. It's worth EVERY PENNY and anyone here who has one will most probalby agree. I had similar problems and I'm sure that a new standard radiator would have been Just OK... but with Curt's I took off my belt driven fan and installed an electric which rarely comes on unless I'm stopped in traffic for a while. Do it it's worth it! It's worth every penny!

Sorry email as I don't have a phone # handy - sigarage at aol dot com

[jpcapoc]

I had the same problem after I rebuilt my head. I considered Curt's radiator, but opted for a 320i radiator because I'm a cheapskate and wasn't really all that concerned about the authentic look under the hood. I'm not saying the 320i radiator is better, I'm guessing that Curt's is really better, but the 320i radiator solved the problem. If you're concerned with keeping the original look, then go with Curt, the 320i requires some drilling to mount, and requires modified hoses.

The temp gauge has not gone beyond 3pm since I've installed the 320i, and we've had some hellish hot weather here in socal.

I got mine from Ireland Engineering (that's the other reason I went this way, because Ireland is right by my house - very convenient!). Bav Auotsport also sells a kit very inexpensively, but I'm not sure theirs is as good as Ireland's. Ireland sells a new Behr aluminum radiator.

[winstontj]

Don't waste your time with the BavAuto kit. Just go to their site and see what's in it (think it's just a new lower hose??? and some fasteners). I just looked but couldn't find it. They'll sell you a "KIT" that includes cheapo fasteners, some fuel line and a lower radiator hose. You can do it for $5 at a hardware store.

The E21 radiator has fastening provisions on the back/inward/engine side rather than the 02's provisions which are on the forward/nose side. So they use long bolts and take a section of fuel line and use it as a spacer. Drill four holes, bolt it all up and you're golden. E21 radiators work well but if you have a big bumper car it's a PITA to fit the lower radiator hose down there with the big bumper provision. Also, if you're not sure of the process, buy a second lower radiator hose (or buy one good one from BMW $15 and one from NAPA $7, made in Mexico or somewhere). Cut the cheapo one first, when you mess it up and figure out how to fit everything properly then use the good one.

[c.d.iesel]

...but, how is your ignition timing set ?

that's first.

[JOHNAHOF]

My 1976 2002 was having a similar issue so last week I installed a 1980 320 radiator. I bought a lower radiator hose for a 1980 320 and it fit fine. As for the provisions for mounting being on the back side of the radiator as apposed to the front I did use longer screws. To clean up the look and strengthen the mounting tabs I cut four 1/2" diam gray plastic tubes and inserted them between the mounting point on the radiator and the front cross member. This swap dropped the temp gauge to running just a little above mid point. I am getting ready to mount on the front of the radiator an electronic fan from an AC 2002. I will wire it to the thermostat. I want this extra bit of cooling for traffic situations.

My daughter and son in law are in their last year of medical school at Mizzou. So I am down that way often. Plus I will be moving my nephew out of my house and to Columbia this Saturday. Let me know if your interested and if am able to time wise and if I drive the 2002 I can show you how my conversion went. Not that my work is anything special to look at. You might be able to see some things you want to do before you start if you see one already in.

John Hoffner

[///Mizzou3]

If you are still around tomorrow evening (~6PM) that would be great! My email is c_rodelas at hotmail dot com

[robspeed]

I had the same problem after I rebuilt my head. I considered Curt's radiator, but opted for a 320i radiator because I'm a cheapskate and wasn't really all that concerned about the authentic look under the hood. I'm not saying the 320i radiator is better, I'm guessing that Curt's is really better, but the 320i radiator solved the problem. If you're concerned with keeping the original look, then go with Curt, the 320i requires some drilling to mount, and requires modified hoses.

The temp gauge has not gone beyond 3pm since I've installed the 320i, and we've had some hellish hot weather here in socal.

I got mine from Ireland Engineering (that's the other reason I went this way, because Ireland is right by my house - very convenient!). Bav Auotsport also sells a kit very inexpensively, but I'm not sure theirs is as good as Ireland's. Ireland sells a new Behr aluminum radiator.

ive always had excellent luck with my $18 320i radiator, that is until i put the fan through it!! M.Dubois sent me a quickie GOOD (and freebie!!!!!!!!) e21 replacement rad, and its good as gold. I cant get my car to overheat even in disgusting Alabama summer heat/ stop-go traffic.

also, the early e21s had almost-identical looking rads as the 02 rad, for that "original look" problem...

[ingraham]

You need a new radiator. New stock, new 320i, or recored stock will take care of your problem.

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

[JOHNAHOF]

Sorry Mizzou but I just read your reply. Besides I ended up needing to drive the van to pack more stuff and I was back on Hwy 70 heading East at about 3:00 PM.

Let me know if I can be of help. I can take a couple of digital pics of the e21 radiator installed and send them to you.

John Hoffner