Just wanted to thank sgrice for the writeup. Excellent info. Had to redo the wife's x35d as the shop I had to it (I was incapacitated after a surgery) had botched the job and pinched the gasket on the thermostat. Has been leaking for awhile I'm guessing judging from the coolant residue on the engine, trans, and of course the soaked engine diaper.
I ended up doing the water pump, thermostat, idler, tensioner, and drive belt. Maybe the shop that did the thermostat back in January will do the AC belt for me as a maya culpa. We'll see. Thanks again.
