Coolant gauge slightly past middle?

[jayjpl]

Hey guys,

Went on an hour long drive all hwy, and noticed that my coolant gauge went slightly past middle for majority of the drive? I got back into the city and again it stayed mostly past middle but would fluctuate between middle and slightly past. I drive like a grandma in the city and it stays pretty dead center, but when i do take it for some more spirited drives, it sometimes goes up slightly past, does this ever happen to you guys? My water pump was replaced not long ago but my thermostat and ET are still original, my car has around 240k km's.

Thanks in advance

[chicane]

Hey guys,

Went on an hour long drive all hwy, and noticed that my coolant gauge went slightly past middle for majority of the drive? I got back into the city and again it stayed mostly past middle but would fluctuate between middle and slightly past. I drive like a grandma in the city and it stays pretty dead center, but when i do take it for some more spirited drives, it sometimes goes up slightly past, does this ever happen to you guys? My water pump was replaced not long ago but my thermostat and ET are still original, my car has around 240k km's.

Thanks in advance

Those coolant gauges are notoriously useless. If you want an accurate temperature you can buy an Bluetooth module to plug into you OBDII port like iCarly that can give you a more accurate reading in real-time on your phone. Anything past 210-215 degrees (F), I would probably be concerned.

[jayjpl]

Those coolant gauges are notoriously useless. If you want an accurate temperature you can buy an Bluetooth module to plug into you OBDII port like iCarly that can give you a more accurate reading in real-time on your phone. Anything past 210-215 degrees (F), I would probably be concerned.

I'll do that next time i get paranoid, thanks!

[Bostonbruck]

Near middle or slightly past is normal, but I don’t think it should get pass the 3/4 mark.

[R1pilot]

At 240k km (150k miles) I would preventatively do a cooling system refresh.

[kokgo20]

Those coolant gauges are notoriously useless. If you want an accurate temperature you can buy an Bluetooth module to plug into you OBDII port like iCarly that can give you a more accurate reading in real-time on your phone. Anything past 210-215 degrees (F), I would probably be concerned.

There is a free hidden option on the cluster that u can monitor the temp in C°.

OP, your radiator probably is full of trash either internally or externally

[Slideways]

No need to panic OP, you're fine. The needle can move to 3/4 if the outside temp is above 105F in 25mph traffic with the A/C on.

[WOLFN8TR]

[heinzboehmer]

Woah 122F sounds terrible. Glad to the the engine can cope with it though!

[Obioban]

No need to panic OP, you're fine. The needle can move to 3/4 if the outside temp is above 105F in 25mph traffic with the A/C on.

That is not the behavior of a normal, properly functioning, like new system.

[terra]

Yeah if anything, slightly below middle is the normal behavior.

[Xmetal]

Hey guys,

Went on an hour long drive all hwy, and noticed that my coolant gauge went slightly past middle for majority of the drive? I got back into the city and again it stayed mostly past middle but would fluctuate between middle and slightly past. I drive like a grandma in the city and it stays pretty dead center, but when i do take it for some more spirited drives, it sometimes goes up slightly past, does this ever happen to you guys? My water pump was replaced not long ago but my thermostat and ET are still original, my car has around 240k km's.

Thanks in advance

Those coolant gauges are notoriously useless. If you want an accurate temperature you can buy an Bluetooth module to plug into you OBDII port like iCarly that can give you a more accurate reading in real-time on your phone. Anything past 210-215 degrees (F), I would probably be concerned.

You guys have a coolant gauge in your M3?

[Slideways]

That is not the behavior of a normal, properly functioning, like new system.

Eh, I'd like to see a test of that - one with like new and one with original - and check the difference. I don't think PA sees the temps that central CA does, so you'd have to make the trip

[terra]

Eh, I'd like to see a test of that - one with like new and one with original - and check the difference. I don't think PA sees the temps that central CA does, so you'd have to make the trip

I don’t know what part of Cali you’re in, but right now in Fresno it’s 71°, not exactly blistering weather. Even when it’s 100° out the coolant should be able to stay at the mid point.

[R1pilot]

Eh, I'd like to see a test of that - one with like new and one with original - and check the difference. I don't think PA sees the temps that central CA does, so you'd have to make the trip

I can tell you that in south Florida it gets pretty hot in the summer and mine has never been past the middle. Its been in the mid 90s all week and it stays planted in the middle. I redid my cooling system at 99k miles.