New to 325's

[AvL-325e]

I just purchased an 86 325[e] on the cheap and have now found that the car requires significant attention, which I am okay with, but I am trying to find the info to trouble-shoot and repair so here goes:

1. What is the best service manual? car came with a Haynes which are passable for maintenance but not too effective beyond that.

2. temp gauge has been pegged [hot] since i bought car, been monitoring temp with infr. therm, seems like coolant is running between 150 and 170 F depending on which hose I measure. Cooling system appears to be working correctly however coolant light on display by int. rear view mirror is now coming on, so I put in a new thermostat and bled system, light is still coming on, albeit intermittantly, as example was on first thing when engine was cold and temp outside was 40 deg this AM before I left for work. Went off a few minutes later, back on when engine reached temp, but still no mech signs of overheating, could it be a bad sensor? Does anyone know which sensor is which? I bought one to change hoping it would fix the gauge on dash but no effect there, but there is something like 4 different sensors and I don't know which one is which,

Coolant looks good, green and clearish, oil is fine, and the car drives like a champ...

any help much appreciated!

[netcsk86]

and not the lounge.

The best manual (besides factor) is the Bentley manual. Word around says the Haynes is pretty crappy.

The light by the rear-view mirror is simply a level light. The system has a float in the overflow tank and if it is low, the light will come on. I'm not sure on the overheating problem however. Be careful though, you can warp the head pretty easily.