Cooling Fan

[LakeRoadZ4]

Good Morning, I need a little help.

I have a 2004 BMW Z4 (3.0I) that I received back in August of this year. The car has 48k miles on it and it has an automatic transmission. The car had been sitting in a garage (started once a year) for the past 5-1/2 years. The car with the exception of New Tires (Just put them on) and new brakes, K&N Air Filers is totally stock. According to the records that I have, the car has only been in for normal maintenance. I hooked the car OBD tester and I do not have any faults with the exception of the alarm system which I think now someone disconnected.

I have been driving the car a few times a week and all seems fine.

Now my question, my temp gauge comes up slow and stops at straight at 12 OC. Is the normal? Second, is the cooling fan suppose to run after the car is turn off? I don't think mine is doing this, or I cannot hear it. I can drive 20 miles and stop for an hour and once back in the car, it at 12 OC.

Thanks for help here.

 

[enuff_zed]

Hello, what you describe sounds perfectly normal to me.
All my E85s have run with the temperature gauge right in the middle, regardless which engine or whether it's auto or manual.
The only time I ever hear the fan run is when the AC is switched on.

 

[LakeRoadZ4]

Really Appreciate your reply.

I can confirm that the fan will come on when the AC is turned on. So, I have a record that the cooling system was flushed and replaced 5 years ago. When the car arrived in my driveway, I checked it and it was full and according to my tester is good shape. Question: Would you go ahead and replace the total system in the car? Water pump, Thermostats, hoses, belts? All look good, just a little nervous because of age. Your Thoughts?

 

[enuff_zed]

If you mean the coolant was replaced five years ago then I would suggest getting that done again.
Most other parts I would carefully inspect and only change if there is evidence of leaks etc.
Drive belts are cheap and easy to change, so maybe do those.

Trouble with the cooling system on an older car is that when you change one component it moves the weak point somewhere else and you end up chasing faults.
I am firmly in the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' camp.
However, what you could do is start collecting the necessary parts and then when something does fail you may as well change the lot.

 

[LakeRoadZ4]

Appreciate your time and input.