Bad thermostat consequences.

[BMWM3186]

Recently bought a zhp. The temp needle does not go above 1/4 on the gauge unless its just idling while not moving. How urgent is it to replace it. I'll probably end up ordering an entire cooling system kit. Should I stop driving it now?

[hcbeck2689]

Recently bought a zhp. The temp needle does not go above 1/4 on the gauge unless its just idling while not moving. How urgent is it to replace it. I'll probably end up ordering an entire cooling system kit. Should I stop driving it now?

If your not warming up then it is stuck open, I've had that happen to me. My concern was 2 fold. 1 is that your motor oil is not getting hot enough to properly lubricate. That is gonna put some extra wear on both the motor and the oil and is enough to warrant a new thermostat. 2 I always fear that if the thermostat does finally close it might get stuck in that position resulting in it overhearing.

My advice is get another thermostat. It takes all of 30 minutes if you are going slow. Easier than an oil change.


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[BMWCurves]

My car had that same problem when I first bought it. I believe these thermostats are designed to fail open.

Do you have any maintenance records that can give you an idea of when the cooling system was last done, if at all? If not, might as well do the whole thing, as you said. I'd suggest ordering parts individually so you know what brands you are getting. I bought a kit from Turner Motorsport and its fine, but I had no say in the brands and a few parts I wish I had a different manufacturer.

[fw_fw]

My car had that same problem when I first bought it. I believe these thermostats are designed to fail open.

Do you have any maintenance records that can give you an idea of when the cooling system was last done, if at all? If not, might as well do the whole thing, as you said. I'd suggest ordering parts individually so you know what brands you are getting. I bought a kit from Turner Motorsport and its fine, but I had no say in the brands and a few parts I wish I had a different manufacturer.

+1 Just assemble your own kit on FCPEuro and you also get a lifetime warranty for as long as you own your car.

[BMWM3186]

My car had that same problem when I first bought it. I believe these thermostats are designed to fail open.

Do you have any maintenance records that can give you an idea of when the cooling system was last done, if at all? If not, might as well do the whole thing, as you said. I'd suggest ordering parts individually so you know what brands you are getting. I bought a kit from Turner Motorsport and its fine, but I had no say in the brands and a few parts I wish I had a different manufacturer.
The car is in impeccable condition, 83k miles, 1 owner, all service records... Some sort of major service done at 75k I'll probably call my bmw dealer and see what that consisted of. Thinking about just goimg to the dealer and throwing in a thermostat for now since its 20 degrees outside now. Do the genuine bmw thermostats require rtv? Or do they come with a gasket?

[Vas]

Do a basic cooling kit imo

Thermostat, water pump, both hoses, expansion tank and water pump and sensors.

[BMWM3186]

Do a basic cooling kit imo

Thermostat, water pump, both hoses, expansion tank and water pump and sensors.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-e46-oem-e46coolkit

Like this? There is also https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-mango-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-mangocoolkit

[Vas]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-e46-oem-e46coolkit

Like this? There is also https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-mango-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-mangocoolkit
Something like the first link would work but I would build the kit yourself.

[BMWM3186]

Something like the first link would work but I would build the kit yourself.
Why build it myself, do you think I could get it cheaper? Or would you add something else? I also don't know how long ordering that would take I'll probably go to the stealer and see what they charge for the parts.

[Vas]

Not cheaper but you would get OE or OE supplier parts.

Tischer bmw has this kit. See if your local dealer can match. But it is all genuine bmw parts.

Part numbers are there as well.

Hope that helps you.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161210/73697eb7b9ea495ec55a837b30112dbd.jpg

[BMWM3186]

Not cheaper but you would get OE or OE supplier parts.

Tischer bmw has this kit. See if your local dealer can match. But it is all genuine bmw parts.

Part numbers are there as well.

Hope that helps you.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161210/73697eb7b9ea495ec55a837b30112dbd.jpg
Thanks a lot!

[BMWCurves]

Pretty much what Vas said.

[hcbeck2689]

Why build it myself, do you think I could get it cheaper? Or would you add something else? I also don't know how long ordering that would take I'll probably go to the stealer and see what they charge for the parts.

I think he was saying you could build a better kit. A few of those parts are not considered as good quality as others on fcp (correct me if I'm wrong)

Don't forget FCP has a lifetime warranty on everything. Even parts that wear down. Everything.


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[Sockethead]

You be fine just replacing the thermostat. Do the rest of the system in the spring when it's warm. No sealant goo required for doing the thermostat.
If your a BMWCCA member, don't forget about the discount you get for showing your membership card at the dealership.