97' E36 328i vert queries

[Hellrot]

Hi Peoples

Im new to the forum. Good to meet you all.

I bought my first Beemer....a red 1997 E36 328i Convertible with just under 189k KM on the clock and had a major service about 4000km back at E-car somewhere in Bedfordview before I got her. Iv only owned her for about 2 months now. But since im very unfamiliar with this brand, I have a few queries.

1. Is it normal for the L/100KM gauge at the bottom to go past 39.5l/100km and hide away during idle?

-I have a feeling the beemers overfueling, on inst cons....shes usually stuck on 39.5L on idle and start up with white-ish smoke on start up. I dont smell excessive petrol fumes in the exhaust though. She also idles roughly at random moments.
-On acceleration....she BUUURRRSSS....sounds almost like a trucks air brakes.

2. Is there anyone in the South or Alberton areas that has a diagnostics machine and wont charge a small fortune?

3. Is there anyone in Alberton with the same model that I can compare mine to?

I have a few more queries but cant think of them right now. lol

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Nikhil]

If you in Altberton take your car to Gizmo, hes also in that area:rollsmile:. Just make sure you dont have aftermarket HID's fitted as he might make you eat them :fencelook: hes also very familiar with the E36 chassis and can tell you if something is wrong :thumbs:

 

[Hellrot]

If you in Altberton take your car to Gizmo, hes also in that area:rollsmile:. Just make sure you dont have aftermarket HID's fitted as he might make you eat them :fencelook: hes also very familiar with the E36 chassis and can tell you if something is wrong :thumbs:

lol. Nah my cab is stock except for 17s the previous owner fitted, even the zorst if stock. Ill send him a PM and see if he can give any advise?

Thanks for the help :thumbs:

---

Just remembered another thing, the highest my temp guage has gone is just past quarter above the blue section. This worries me as what iv seen on the net suggests that E36s dont have good cooling systems.

I work in the outskirts of Sandton and have taken the beemer to work once or twice on a moer hot day.

 

[ters]

Welcome. Your low temp is most probably because of the absence of a thermostat. This is not good for any engine as it runs below optimal operating temperature. When you do fit one, keep in mind that some okes think removing it is a cure for an engine running excessively hot. There may be other cooling components not working, eg. your radiator fan.
Inspect and assure yourself that all cooling components are 110%.

Ters.

 

[Hellrot]

Welcome. Your low temp is most probably because of the absence of a thermostat. This is not good for any engine as it runs below optimal operating temperature. When you do fit one, keep in mind that some okes think removing it is a cure for an engine running excessively hot. There may be other cooling components not working, eg. your radiator fan.
Inspect and assure yourself that all cooling components are 110%.

Ters.

Hmmm...ill need to check this out next week when im on leave. The Gauge does move...just not as expected.

Thanks for the heads up

 

[ver328i]

do you have any pics of the vert?

you can post some in the intro section:thumbs:

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/forumdisplay.php?fid=16

 

[Hellrot]

Iv only got these two pics on my workstation at the moment.

 

[gerald5ive]

Welcome. Nice car u have. The temp guage on mines goes up the halfway mark and stays there. Cant say ive noticeed the consumption needle on idle. If you go full throttle on take off you hear the second exhaust flap open and a slightly deeper exhaust tone but nowhere near the sound of a trucks exhaust brakes. As the guys have said, Gizmo is the man when it comes to these beemers. Get him to take a look. You welcome to compare to mine if you want.