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My new Z4

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MT94
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Post by MT94 » Tue May 23, 2017 4:34 pm

Hi all after much response from here about buying my first Zed i thought I would ask you all another question I picked up my car today and have been driving it around and to work and just wondered how hot should the engine bay get on a 2.2 litre as mine gets quite hot and can't really touch the engine covers for too long as they are that hot just wondered if this is normal as I have never had an engine this big before (1.4)
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Post by Marlon » Tue May 23, 2017 4:40 pm

So long as the temp gauge is bang in the middle (12 O'clock) I wouldn't worry about the engine bay - it gets hot in there :wink:
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Post by MT94 » Tue May 23, 2017 4:55 pm

Mine sits just past 12 probably 3-6mm past 12 if I was to guess
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Post by ben g » Tue May 23, 2017 5:23 pm

It should be perfectly at the 12 o' clock position.

I'd advise a coolant change and check of the cooling system, if you're worried. There are some weak points, namely the expansion tank.

You'll know if you have overheating issues as the gauge will into the red. I speak from experience. Not a nice feeling!

The engine bay does get hot though. On a rainy day, you'll notice steam coming off the bonnet.
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Post by kis » Tue May 23, 2017 9:56 pm

MT94 wrote: Tue May 23, 2017 4:55 pm Mine sits just past 12 probably 3-6mm past 12 if I was to guess
Welcome (officially)! Not sure I've seen pictures? Did you post on your other thread?

It's not a big gauge? 3-6mm would mean 1 o'clock or even 2 o'clock position? :?

Mine doesn't sit perfectly at 12, probably 1mm off exactly vertical. Kind of annoying but that's jus the way it is.

Engine does get hot, I'd check its got enough oil and coolant. Might as well check brake fluid while you're there. Fill where necessary. Book in for a bit of TLC with an indie, or have a go yourself if you're up for that sort of thing :) plenty of info on here if you're willing to try bits and bobs yourself.
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Post by MACK » Tue May 23, 2017 10:24 pm

If you post a pic of the gauge we will be better able to say if you have an issue. Like others have said the expansion tanks are prone to cracking, but they use the same one on all E85/6's non m cars so that applies across the range. Other common issues are the water pump and the thermostat. Fortunately the water pump and thermostat are relatively cheap and easy to sort on a 2.2. I would keep an eye on your water level in the expansion tank to see if your loosing any fluid. Do it cold though!
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Post by kis » Tue May 23, 2017 10:36 pm

MACK wrote: Tue May 23, 2017 10:24 pm I would keep an eye on your water level in the expansion tank to see if your loosing any fluid. Do it cold though!
Stone cold! The Zed (and other BM's) runs a pressurised setup so if you open even when mildly warm you'll end up loosing some coolant/antifreeze (with no way of topping back up!) best doing in the morning or just before you leave work on an evening.
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7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
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Post by MT94 » Fri May 26, 2017 10:28 am

Hi all sorry for the delay in replies I have been away the gauge is bang in the middle as should be think I must have been over paranoid, always expecting something to go wrong I don't know why just a worry I have every squeak bump or noise I hear I panic as I don't want expensive repair bills.
Thanks again for the replies all seems fine :driving:
Cheers
Matt
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Post by RyanB88 » Fri May 26, 2017 12:56 pm

They do tend to run very hot. Not sure if they were designed like this to be more efficient?

As said as long as the temperature gauge is ok then it should be fine. If it starts to go too high then I'd turn the engine off immediately to prevent any damage and get the water pump/expansion tank looked at as the most likely culprits!
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