engine cooling problems

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   I own a very tidy 1984 323i.

I recently managed to blow the engine up and 

unfortunately the only 2.3 replacement was from a 170bhp 

alpina c1. It was from a low milage car (about 90k)which 

had been written off (makes you want to cry) but after listening 

to the engine and phoning the previous owner i took the plunge 

bought and fitted it. Well regaurdless to say performance compared to 

before was impressive but lately ive had a problem when

I drive it particularly hard, I took it abroad for a week and speeds of 130mph

were managed, but at any speeds above 90 the engine temp

seems to head towards overheat. Does anyone have any idea ehat could

cause this?? The only thing i can come up with is a faulty temp

guage... Also would a performance exhaust and air

filter improve performance much more?? 

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cpro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2	Topic: engine cooling problems Posted: 15-November-2002 at 15:17
	I own a very tidy 1984 323i. I recently managed to blow the engine up and unfortunately the only 2.3 replacement was from a 170bhp alpina c1. It was from a low milage car (about 90k)which had been written off (makes you want to cry) but after listening to the engine and phoning the previous owner i took the plunge bought and fitted it. Well regaurdless to say performance compared to before was impressive but lately ive had a problem when I drive it particularly hard, I took it abroad for a week and speeds of 130mph were managed, but at any speeds above 90 the engine temp seems to head towards overheat. Does anyone have any idea ehat could cause this?? The only thing i can come up with is a faulty temp guage... Also would a performance exhaust and air filter improve performance much more??

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M3AG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II 7 series & e36 m3 registrar! (Madness) Joined: 17-October-2002 Location: Good Old Hertfordshire Status: Offline Points: 1644	Posted: 18-November-2002 at 12:31
	if it sits at normal below 90 but rises over that speed, then I 'd say either the pump is playing up, or the rad is having difficulty passing the air/coolant thru'. when was the last time it was flushed? plus is the engine set up ok? A proper 6 branch exhaust manifold would liberate more power, as that what Alpina would have coupled the engine tune with. What happened to the item the engine would have originally been fitted with? Were there any other parts off the Alpina?How bad was the write off?

jaseb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member II Joined: 11-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 237	Posted: 19-November-2002 at 16:39
	Have you read Total BMW this month, page 83 deals with overheating issues, might help you in the right direction?!

cpro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15-November-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2	Posted: 26-November-2002 at 09:54
	as far as i know all of the good bits off the alpina have been sold it looked like a pretty bad write off and when i collected the engine the interior wheels gearbox an o/side door were sold and also about to be removed i am planning on the proper six branch exhaust next and i flushed the rad out about a month ago

b318isp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2057	Posted: 26-November-2002 at 11:50
	If you can, get a contact thermometer and with the engine warm, check all around the radiator core for any cool patches. As a precaution you may want to consider replacing the water pump and thermostat. Also check the condition of the water hoses on the suction side of the pump.