Z3 running cool

[Mbwtrickbaby]

Picked up new to me z3 yesterday ,drove about 50 miles and temp gauge was reading just above blue line ( in that section ), started in middle and then never really got of first blue line ,throughout the journey , heater worked ,.
This morning let it idle and when temp get hot , fan cut in and today stayed pretty much in middle of gauge , but was nearer blue line than red .

Just seems odd ,does anyone have ideas ?
Car has done 70k , on 1999, don’t believe water pump or thermostat has been changed , but regular service , car was sat for a while also .
Any help greatly appreciated
Tony

 

[MarkLG1973]

Probably thermostat stuck open.

 

[colb]

Agree probably thermostat stuck open, guage should be rock steady at 12 o'clock if all is well. If your going to change the thermostat it would be prudent to put a new waterpump in at the same time, long term piece of mind for the cooling system then. Check condition of drive belt(s) as well, replace if they have started cracking and spin any tensioners to check their condition.

 

[Mbwtrickbaby]

In the short term do you think car is okay to drive , 3o mile trip to work
Needle sits above the first blue line ,, pipes get hot , checked coolant levels and all seem good

 

[t-tony]

It wouldn’t be a concern to me to drive 30 miles, if it were reading at the top end of the gauge it would be a different matter.
As has been said it sounds as though the t/stat is stuck slightly open but if the coolant is circulating ok, pipes getting hot and heater working not a big worry.

Tony.

 

[MarkLG1973]

I wouldn’t be overly concerned at this time of year. More of an issue in the winter, as the engine will never get near proper operating temp.