1997 E38 | Piping hot engine bay

[NewB MW]

Hello everyone.

On Wednesday I picked up a very nice looking E38 740i with 172k on the clock. Pretty much 1 owner from new but has changed 2 owners since his passing 2 years ago and has not done much driving since.

It has a full service record, the last being Nov 2022 with a number of items done on the cooling system, however, the car is SO HOT! After a 20 min drive you cant touch the hood without oven mitts!

There are no errors on the dash and the cars engine temp is perfect on the instrument cluster.

 

[modocrat]

Pics pics pics, pronto!

 

[Benji]

Pics or it didnt happen...

I drive a E39 540 (same car really) and I have not noticed this that you speak of...Does you viscous fan come on? It should be on fairly often if you're sitting in traffic etc but never on the highway

 

[NewB MW]

Morning Benji, only having had the car for 5 days now I have not noticed the viscous fan being on.

Im also at best getting 20.5l to 100kms where Iv seen some guys are getting 16l in town and 9l on highways. These numbers seem low for a 4.4l V8 but I am wondering if the heat is increasing the consumption.

 

[Benji]

Morning Benji, only having had the car for 5 days now I have not noticed the viscous fan being on.

Im also at best getting 20.5l to 100kms where Iv seen some guys are getting 16l in town and 9l on highways. These numbers seem low for a 4.4l V8 but I am wondering if the heat is increasing the consumption.

Definitely does not sound right...You should hear the viscous fan come on, will sound like an industrial vacuum cleaner. I would investigate before causing any damage. These cars have a "hidden menu" where you can monitor your actual water temps - the temp gauge is terribly filtered and will only start creeping up once you have already overheated. Yes, 15 in town and 9 on the open road are pretty average numbers for these cars

 

[NewB MW]