Thermostat

[Daka]

The shop is saying that my thermostat need replacing, this from their computer, no indication on the dash, living in S FL, I never noticed any malfunction, is this a huge $$ job, are they scamming me?, I no longer trust even the indie's after a few screwups that they have done...
Unfortunately I just can't do my own work anymore....gettin' too old...

[tmv]

I assume it failed in open position (if it's indeed failed) since you notice no malfunction. Is the temp needle in 12 o'clock position or does it go down to 11o'clock when you're on the hway? That's an indication of opened Tstat.

[upallnight]

Check your local BMW club. Perhaps a member can assist. Or you can host a get together and thy topic will be thermostat replacement and you can provide food and beer.

I have helped many Lotus owners this way.

[SlickGT1]

On our 4.8is, the tstat has a sensor. That sensor technically measures when the tstat fails. I know this because I had it happen. It was a ridiculously simple job on the 4.8.

That being said. Does your car take a really long time to warm up in the morning. That is also an indication of a failed Tstat.

I also question how these mechanics know you have a failed tstat. If there is no code for it, how did they come to this conclusion?

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

On our 4.8is, the tstat has a sensor. That sensor technically measures when the tstat fails. I know this because I had it happen. It was a ridiculously simple job on the 4.8.

That being said. Does your car take a really long time to warm up in the morning. That is also an indication of a failed Tstat.

I also question how these mechanics know you have a failed tstat. If there is no code for it, how did they come to this conclusion?

This what the OP stated

The shop is saying that my thermostat need replacing, this from their computer, no indication on the dash

A failed thermostat will not set off a check engine or service engine soon light, but it will be logged into the DME as a problem, which can be retrieved if you have the proper software connected to the car.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by upallnight

This what the OP stated

The shop is saying that my thermostat need replacing, this from their computer, no indication on the dash

A failed thermostat will not set off a check engine or service engine soon light, but it will be logged into the DME as a problem, which can be retrieved if you have the proper software connected to the car.

Nope you are wrong. My check engine light got set off. Thermostat is directly related to emissions. Car can't warm up fast enough, means it is running rich, and will throw a check engine. I got an error something like cooling below threshold/thermostat stuck open, with a basic OBD2 scanner. Something more advanced with INPA, but check engine definitely lit up for this error.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Nope you are wrong. My check engine light got set off. Thermostat is directly related to emissions. Car can't warm up fast enough, means it is running rich, and will throw a check engine. I got an error something like cooling below threshold/thermostat stuck open, with a basic OBD2 scanner. Something more advanced with INPA, but check engine definitely lit up for this error.

Sorry I don't think that I'm wrong and neither is the OP's mechanic. He read the error code as stuck open thermostat.

I read my DME and it told me that the thermostat was stuck open. No check engine light.

The error code that you received was for a " I got an error something like cooling below threshold/thermostat stuck open".

There could be several reasons why you have that code including a stuck thermostat. But that code is not a stuck thermostat code.

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0128

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Sorry I don't think that I'm wrong and neither is the OP's mechanic. He read the error code as stuck open thermostat.

I read my DME and it told me that the thermostat was stuck open. No check engine light.

The error code that you received was for a " I got an error something like cooling below threshold/thermostat stuck open".

There could be several reasons why you have that code including a stuck thermostat. But that code is not a stuck thermostat code.

OBD-II Trouble Code: P0128 Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)

I dont know why you seem stuck on this. Like i said before, it does give a check engine light on the dash. And Persian confirmed it. Maybe your perticylar BMW doesnt, but i know sure as shit mine did. A replacement tstat fixed it.

[Persian]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Nope you are wrong. My check engine light got set off. Thermostat is directly related to emissions. Car can't warm up fast enough, means it is running rich, and will throw a check engine. I got an error something like cooling below threshold/thermostat stuck open, with a basic OBD2 scanner. Something more advanced with INPA, but check engine definitely lit up for this error.

Going to chime in here.

Can confirm thermostat DOES in fact set off an engine code. ie p0125. It will actually give 2 codes under BMW specific diag.

Thermostat, 28$. Fix takes an hour.

They fail (as mentioned) OPEN. Don't bother trying to fix the unit. it has some wax inside and a circuit as far as I have been told?

[TiAgX5]

You need to do what tmv said.

BMW t'stats fail open, drive it for a few miles on the hwy after warming it up.

If the gauge doesn't get to 12 o'clock, it's time for a new one. No pun intended!