3.0i cold running
 

Evening all, I have just got myself a fine 3.0i in silver (2002) and I'm very pleased with it, it has a few small problems but nothing major.

One of the problems is cold running, basically when at speed the temp gauge drops to the blue zone, any idea what is causing this? I'm thinking it's the thermostat, is this easy to change?

Rog.

Thermostat is toast. Relatively easy gig to do as well.

+1. Very easy. Make sure you read up on bleeding properly.

While looking for the part for my 2003 X5 3.0, I found:

BMW Dealer - $157
BMW Online (getBMWparts.com) - $89.34 + $14.95 shipping
NAPA - $53

I wouldn't put just any part in my BMW but the NAPA part was made by the same German manufacturer as the original, even had the same part number on it, the only difference was that where the original had a small BMW logo the NAPA unit had a blank circle.

Saved a $100 works fine!

I recall that the OEM Manufacturer was Wahle or something like that. Perhaps you can find such a source in the UK.

Fairly easy job - BTW normally the temp guage reads right in the middle.

Well done, thermostat is relatively easy once you get the clutch fan off. Keep an eye on the rest of the cooling system as some of the parts may start to fail as well.

Here is a post with some good info: http://www.xoutpost.com/showthread.p...ght=thermostat

You can also search the E53 forum for more.

Thanks for the replies guys, from you have been saying it looks like it is the thermostat so I've just ordered a wahler item from eBay, £39.00 with free delivery.

Is there a thread on how to change the stat?? Also I need so advice on how to bleed the cooling system and what anti freeze should I use?

Many thanks

Rog.

see my previous post.

Cheers Jim, that's a good read but doesn't mention anything about bleeding the system afterwards, is there a post about bleeding anywhere, I had a quick search but couldn't find anything.

Rog.

basically, fill ET, turn car to on (not on on), heat to 90 or HI. 3 dots on the upper dash to fully red. car should burp a bunch of fluid. keep filling. DO NOT OVERFILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As in pay close attention to the fill float. It does not correspond to the neck of the ET.


Youre gonna want to track down BMW coolant. Being in the UK, not sure what else they sell that corresponds. I use Zerex G-05 as that is upposedly the closest, but BMW coolant is not that expensive.