thermostat?

[rendoll911]

I'm having a problem with my m44. The heat gauge used to always sit smack dab in the middle and now its been acting a little crazy. I'll explain some of the incidents:
1) i had an hour drive on the highway and my needle never got up to the middle, it stay at about the 1/4 mark
2) today when i was idling for about 10 minutes the needle went to the middle, but then when i drove away the needle started gradually going down, eventually to the cold mark. (city driving)

also this is the 1st real cold weather of the season, so i was thinking that might have something to do with it, but last winter it worked fine...

anyone have any idea?

[aceyx]

Probably a burned thermostat. Replacement is easy, run a search.

Best way to test if it's gone is to drive, changing the heat settings and seeing if the engine temp will fluctuate accordingly.

[pilsberry]

My 97 acts the same way. I bought a thermostat assembly today. Talked the BMW guy down to $46. Includes o-ring and thermostat(integrated).

Now I realize that the previous owner must have removed the fan. I have seen a few posts regarding the removal for additional power, but I wonder if that had anything to do with the life of the thermostat.

BTW the car never overheated here in TX with the mechanical fan missing.

Pils

[rendoll911]

thanks aceyx the temperature does fluctuate like you said, i guess its time for a new thermostat! Time to shop around for the best bargain...

[cali-ti]

i think someone else posted pelican parts had a really good price on the t-stat.