'04 X5 3.0 - DIY Thermostat Install - Help
 

I'm hoping I can find someone who has some detailed instructions on replacing the thermostat in my '04 3.0 X5. I've had it for two years, it's got 53K on it and I just recently noticed that it's running well below the normal engine temp. It's killing my mpg. Also, any suggestions on where to buy the replacement part? Have all of the tools necessary. Your help is appreciated. Anything else I should be replacing at this time?

ECS probably has a replacement for you, or morristown.

Here's basically what you do:

Pull the splash shield off the front nose of the car. There are a few little bolts that hold it in place. Put it aside and place your coolant catch bucket under the place where the tstat is for later.

Take off the air intake snorkel. It's held in with four plastic rivets. Then take off the clutch fan. It is left hand threaded, and you need about a 1 3/4" wrench - I forget the actual metric size - and a screwdriver to get that off. You wedge the screwdriver between two of the mounting bolts for the pulley, and then give the wrench a whack. It should pop free and spin off. Let it sit in the fan shroud - no need to take it away from the car.

Now you can see the tstat and the hoses that go into it. There are two of them. They are held in place with metal retainer rings that you must pull out. Pull them out and wiggle the hoses off. They are on tightly, so you will have to pull. Try not to damage the rubber part of the hose, or it's off to the dealer with you.

When you have disconnected those hoses, coolant pours out...into the bucket you put under the car earlier. Once it is done, unbolt the tstat housing from it's spot in the motor. There are a handful of metric bolts that hold that in...no big deal. Once it is loose, pull it out away from the block. Wipe down the hole. If the gasket (built into the tstat) stuck on the hole, clean it off or your new gasket will not seat. Lube the new gasket with a little new coolant. Slide it in, and put everything back the way it was. Don't forget to put some anti seize on the clutch fan nut, or you will never get it off again.

You will need to add coolant once you are finished. Don't button the splash guard or the snorkel back on until you inspect for leaks.

At 53k you should be ok with everything else unless something is showing symptoms.

Hello , I am about to change the thermostat one my 05 - 3.0. I thought you should pull the plug on the rad and drain it out, because of the skid plate you would make a hell of a mess with antifreeze. what about getting the air out.. been looking around cant you just keep the rad cap off and wait... ware is the vent ???

Thanks for the help!

As I mentioned, you take the splash guard off the nose of the vehicle. Not the metal skid plate, just hte plastic shield that covers up the are a under the pulley system and radiator. With that off, the coolant drips into the pan.

You are correct. Thank you.. is there a way to take the fan off if you dont have that fancy tool to hold it in place

do you fellas know if my thermostat is stuck if my temp reading looks fine when driving and even when idling for 45 mins, but my top hose is hot and the bottom cold?or is it my rad being ultra efficient and returning real cool coolant back to the engine,and me just getting worried over nothing again?

Sounds like your thermostat is doing it job. Keep an eye on your temp guage it needs to Vertical not in the blue or the red.
I just changed mine because it barley got off the blue and now that winter has hit. It was getting cold in the cabin and nothing would heat it up. After changing it LOTS of heat and the guage is in the middle...:D

.. I got the fan clutch off by getting a long flat screwdriver and wedging it on two of the small bolts resting agents thermostat housing ...then tapping the 1-1/4 wrench COUNTER CLOCKWISE from the drivers seat... knowing if I brake it I am about to replace it anyway... Well I did take a chunk out of the old one. went together well ,not much room, When I put the fan back on with some never seize so it come off again someday. Just sort of tight because the rotating of the engine will tighten it up just fine as you drive. Anybody can do this job just need lots of time and a few beer:rofl: ...

Thanks, did it today and your writeup definitely heped. Not an easy job though IMO.