Re: Help with Radiator / Water Pump
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 3:01 pm
Get something like this, then start shooting different parts of the cooling system. https://www.amazon.com/Thermometer-Non- ... hermometer If you see 180 coming out of the radiator you'll know the switch isn't the problem.
While not following normal bleeding method isn't the best way to do it, the heater working has always been my test to see if it's bled or not. Since it is working I suspect it is bled. I've also seen small holes drilled in thermostats to help with bleeding, 1/8" or so and some with a small hole with a loose plug in it that I suspect mostly seals under water pressure. Overheating on the highway is a common sign of a plugged radiator, but not always. The aux fan on 530i's helps, but not a whole lot, it's pretty small compared to the ones on 528i's and single speed. Get a thermometer and shoot some temps, but my money is on the radiator. The cooling systems were marginal when new and 40 years later it's probably got deposits on the inside of the tubes even if it flows ok. I think the early radiators were 30 or 32 tubes, E28 radiators have an aluminum core and 38 tubes. I had an aftermarket one in an E23 long ago that had 50 tubes. Same height, just slightly wider. That car never ran hot with that radiator in it.
While not following normal bleeding method isn't the best way to do it, the heater working has always been my test to see if it's bled or not. Since it is working I suspect it is bled. I've also seen small holes drilled in thermostats to help with bleeding, 1/8" or so and some with a small hole with a loose plug in it that I suspect mostly seals under water pressure. Overheating on the highway is a common sign of a plugged radiator, but not always. The aux fan on 530i's helps, but not a whole lot, it's pretty small compared to the ones on 528i's and single speed. Get a thermometer and shoot some temps, but my money is on the radiator. The cooling systems were marginal when new and 40 years later it's probably got deposits on the inside of the tubes even if it flows ok. I think the early radiators were 30 or 32 tubes, E28 radiators have an aluminum core and 38 tubes. I had an aftermarket one in an E23 long ago that had 50 tubes. Same height, just slightly wider. That car never ran hot with that radiator in it.