Author Topic: DIY Thermostat and Coolant Replacement (Read 55575 times)

ak96ss · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2006, 08:14:14 AM »

What about putting the car up on ramps, letting it run, and getting under it to see where it may be leaking?

I seem to recall reading somewhere that there have been problems where the expansion tank joins to the core, as well. How old is the radiator?

m42 fan · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2006, 10:27:13 AM »

I'm guessing the radiator is origional, so that would be sixteen years. To be honest, a crack is what I am afraid of. I may have stressed it just enough by taking it out. My next step is going to be to get underneath and look while it's running, as ak96ss said. If I still can't figure out for sure, I'll probably take it to my mechanic to have a look.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
Brian

m42 fan · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2006, 08:23:23 PM »

Well, after looking at it some more, It's evident that the leak is coming directly from the radiator. So, what once was a simple thermostat change has escalated into a complete coolant system overhaul, now that I'll be replacing both the fan clutch and the radiator.

So, this brings me to another question. Since I'm already going to be removing the radiator and fan clutch again, should I go ahead and replace the water pump at the same time?

Also, I may have a line on a used radiator on ebay, but if anyone has an extra one laying around (known good, of course), shoot me an offer and I'll see what I can do.
TIA
Brian

ak96ss · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2006, 10:05:49 PM »

I would a) replace the water pump, and 2) investigate the cost of a new core. I don't know that swapping in a radiator of unknown provenance is worth the effort.

m42 fan · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2006, 07:28:32 AM »

I hear what you're saying. Better to do it right the first time. While I'm in there I'll probably replace all of the hoses as well. BMA has reasonable prices on all of that stuff, so I guess that's where it'll be coming from.
Thanks
Brian

m42 fan · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2006, 01:58:07 PM »

OK, Finally got this done today. I have not had a chance to drive the car far yet, but so far, it does not look like it's leaking. A couple of notes from the job:

1) When removing the fan clutch, wedge a screwdriver between one of the bolts and the thermostat housing, that'll hold everything steady so you can get the nut loose.

2) I was afraid of having extreme dificulty removing the water pump, as some on here have had. When I was screwing the two M6 bolts in, one of them snapped the flange. I slowed down, and tapped on the wp with a hammer every turn or so on the remaining bolt. The pump came out fine from there. Whew!

3) Everything went back together real easy. I started the car up to check for leaks and such. Didn't find any really obvious ones. the temprature gauge went to a tick below half and stayed there. Excellent.

Problem: it looks like I now don't have any heat in the car. I was idling the car with the heat on full, and only cool air was coming out. I'm guessing I screwed up bleeding the system or something. Any suggestions? Edit: Took the car for a drive, I've got heat. Don't know what was up with it earlier.

Brian

2002maniac · « **Reply #21 on:** April 23, 2006, 08:36:12 PM »

mine was leaking from that same are. I thought it was a cracked hose so I grabbed the upper hose and gave it a good wiggle. The inlet neck broke off showering hot coolant all over my arm and face.

2nd degree burns are not cool. Luckily there was no scarring.

318iEnthusiast · « **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:16:39 PM »

mine as been running at about 3/4 temp on the gauge...any idea on that?

Zoso · « **Reply #23 on:** May 01, 2006, 08:10:16 PM »

Quote from: 318iEnthusiast

mine as been running at about 3/4 temp on the gauge...any idea on that?

I'd try replacing the thermostat - make sure it's the right temp one - and replace the coolant.

KenC · « **Reply #24 on:** November 28, 2007, 06:29:45 PM »

Are these articles hosted anywhere else?

mmason · « **Reply #25 on:** January 06, 2008, 02:28:45 PM »

Does anyone have a procedure that is for bleeding the air from the coolant system?

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #26 on:** January 06, 2008, 03:18:17 PM »

when the engine's not running
open the bleeder valve on top of the radiator.(entl�ftung) this plastic screw is worth 8$ at a bmw dealer so make sure you dont break it while removing it (4 months after i still have issues with coolant pissing on my straps)
add coolant until there is no more air bubble coming out of the bleeder valve. this might take a liter or 2 of coolant.
screw back the entl�ftung screw
run the engine and see if you have to adjust the coolant level or if there is still air in the system. do the procedure over again if needed

this is how i remember doing it
i might be wrong on some points, if so, hopefully someone can correct me

messerschmitt · « **Reply #27 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:05:22 AM »

I have been planing to flush the coolant yet Zoso's link no longer work. is there another link?

Brian318is · « **Reply #28 on:** December 21, 2010, 09:02:12 PM »

Don't mean to bring up the dead, but this link is no longer working. Unfortunately, it seems Zoso's whole website is 404ing.

It was a great resource, and I've used it more than once for a DIY. Does anyone have a different host for these? I've tried viewing the cached pages, but there are no images.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #29 on:** December 22, 2010, 10:51:48 AM »

I'll see what I can do. I'll let you know if I can retrieve & post these articles.