Low temperature reading

[fritchy]

I have only owned my 98' for 3 months now. Not knowing its full service history I decided to get the radiator flushed. I was told that BMW Coolant is all I should use and that it is blue in color. The coolant in my car was green.

So now I have had my radiator flushed and BMW coolant added and the temperature needle barely ever gets in the middle now. It takes longer to get out of the blue and only if I am doing city driving it stays in the middle. I live in Florida and it is getting a little cool out now (cool by Florida standards), so when on the highway it is usually sitting between the first (left) white line and the middle (about 70 degree angle). I have always heard about aging cars overheating, but never underheating.

Is this normal or not? Is this bad and if so, what could cause it? thanks. [bmwdance]

 

[Big Daddy]

Most BMW's I have owned or heard about the temp guage rides in the middle or slightly to the cool side from the middle, this is normal.

 

[selavia]

If it's well under the middle & it's getting cooler, it may be your thermostat. B ut if it's slightly under, it's not big deal. Sean

 

[fritchy]

It usually stays around the first mark. When driving in city it can get to the middle, but when on the highway it can actually get cooler. It stays usually quarter the way.

 

[tablet]

I would replace your thermostat. Mine had always stayed in the middle regardless until it failed one day where it was in the middle only when at idle and way below when moving.

When I took the thermostat out, it was stuck open which allowed coolant to flow all the time. This prevents the engine from reaching optimal temperature. I don't suspect that your thermostat is stuck open, but it may be getting a bit sticky and on its way to failure.

 

[fritchy]

thanks tablet, that makes a lot of sense. It tends to vary on how it reacts so sticking makes sense.