[Phyrexia]

Last July, I pulled a 2000 pound trailer from California to Alabama in the 328. I ran a 60:40 water to coolant mixture. My max coolant temp during the whole drive was 215F.

226 seems a touch high but I never logged my temps with a 50:50 mix. I think you're probably fine, but I might keep an eye on it. I believe the car will give you a yellow coolant warning light and go into limp mode if the coolant exceeds a certain temp (hopefully someone can verify this for me).

[nsjames]

fan coming on?

is your car n52 or n51?
n52 operating temp is 90-115c, and since it's all electronic, the DME controls it based on the current load.
so at idle, it will let the head heat up in order to better light the catalysts.
as long as the fan is running, and there are no messages from the computer about overheating, I'd run it. new stuff just runs hot, it's emmissions.

[nsjames]

This means that four different temperature ranges can be implemented:
• 112°C ECO mode (economy)
• 105°C Normal mode
• 95°C High mode
• 80°C High + mapped thermostat mode

straight from the n52 spec PDF.

[mastarron]

Originally Posted by nsjames

fan coming on?

is your car n52 or n51?
n52 operating temp is 90-115c, and since it's all electronic, the DME controls it based on the current load.
so at idle, it will let the head heat up in order to better light the catalysts.
as long as the fan is running, and there are no messages from the computer about overheating, I'd run it. new stuff just runs hot, it's emmissions.

nsjames,

thank you so much for your input. When I checked the coolant on Saturday morning, it did drop a quarter inch or so, but I think this is because there was still some air left in the system. I filled it up, and drove it around, I even went to meet my friend like 20 miles away for lunch. Local and highway driving while monitoring the temperature. all looks and feels good.

Initially I didnt understand the range of operating temperature, I thought the hotter it ran, the worst it was, but after really looking into it over the weekend. Its meant to operate at different ranges based on different criteria(really helped re-inforce the importance of the thermostat, and why it fails in OPEN-state). The smoke that was coming out on Friday and early Saturday, has completely cleared up, so it was the dry coolant from the previous leak. The new hoses are completely dry, and the car is running perfect.

I will do another bleed sometime this week or weekend, and keep an eye on the coolant leve, but I think the leak is successfully fixed.

Thank you so much to all that helped! If you are in NY area, I owe you and bluewater328 a coffee, lunch and/or beer.


cheers,
mastarron

[nsjames]

most people don't understand that the purpose of the thermostat is to keep heat in the motor, which is why I laugh when people with overheating problems put in a lower temp thermostat like it's going to fix the problem.

your cooling system should always be capable of over cooling the engine.

[mastarron]

Originally Posted by nsjames

most people don't understand that the purpose of the thermostat is to keep heat in the motor, which is why I laugh when people with overheating problems put in a lower temp thermostat like it's going to fix the problem.

your cooling system should always be capable of over cooling the engine.

thanks for your input nsjames!

Im doing my rear pads this weekend, so I will do another coolant level check, should be good.


cheers,
mastarron