Thermostat trouble

[Chesty Bonds]

Hey guys,
I drive an E30 318is which i feel has got a dodgy thermostat. The temp. gauge isn't hovering just below the centre mark like it used to and i have noticed a slight deterioration in fuel consumprion. I'm wondering if its a big job to change the thermostat myself beacuse i'm sure the labour to get it done at a mechanic is a killer??? I am assuming that this is why my car isnt quite warming up properly...

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. Pete.

 

[wood_e]

If the coolant is losing temperature (all things held constant in driving style) then your thermostat might be sticking open. How many miles on your car? It's probably time to get a new one. Replacement is rather easy. Drain about a few quarts out of the radiator to minimize the mess and have fun!

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Hey wood,
Yeah my car only has 126,000 Kms on it which in miles i guess is about, what 80,000 or something? Its not as if its running cold, it's just not warming right up. Very annoying. It certainly looks tricky down there where the thermostat is....

Thanks.

 

[e30fr3@k]

if your car isn't running cold, then i doubt it's stuck open, but perhaps it's malfunctioning in some other manner. the thermostat was the first thing on my car that i did myself (as i was first learning). the guys on the board can tell you i'm not too keen on this stuff, but trust me here - changing the thermostat is easy. drain plug should be on the bottom left (driver side) of the radiator, drain 3-4 quarts (or as much as you can) from the radiator. there's only three bolts holding the thermostat housing closed (not including the bleed valve). take the three bolts out and pull the housing part. just put the new one and close it up. pretty easy. the only mistake i made was that i only drained 1 quart can you say "mess"? i pulled off the hoses around the housing and there was green liquid all over my frontside belts and oil pan and everything. not to scare you or anything =) just drain it more than i did. good luck

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Hey E30fr3@k,
Hey that's a beautifully presented car you have there. Its the same colour as mine - can't wait to put the pic up of my baby soon ! Thanks for the tips on the thermostat mate. Much appreciated. The only other thing i have to ask is whether or not i will have to change the gasket for the thermostat too? If so, do they sell it with the new thermostat?

Cheers mate. Pete

 

[epj3]

Hey E30fr3@k,
Hey that's a beautifully presented car you have there. Its the same colour as mine - can't wait to put the pic up of my baby soon ! Thanks for the tips on the thermostat mate. Much appreciated. The only other thing i have to ask is whether or not i will have to change the gasket for the thermostat too? If so, do they sell it with the new thermostat?

Cheers mate. Pete

That's not his but it IS a sweet car none-the-less.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

That's not his but it IS a sweet car none-the-less.

hahaha. thanks for the tip!

 

[e30fr3@k]

That's not his but it IS a sweet car none-the-less.

haha, ya i wish that was mine...if you click on the M3 a new window should pop up with an old picture of my engine. in any case, the thermostat i bought did come with an o-ring..i'm assuming thats what you meant by gasket, and yes, you should replace it.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

yeah sweet. Cheers mate.