Thermostat???

[JordE30 325i]

My car has been overheating lately even on short trips through town. I thought to replace the thermostat but cant find where its located. The chiltons book only says "intake side." where is the thermostat? Is this a common problem with the e30?

 

[KC Ron Carter]

Very seldom is it the thermostat

usually the fan clutch is the suspect.

That is why an electric fan only is very funny.

To test is a matter of stopping the fan with a rolled up news paper when it is cold and not being able to when the engine is hot or normal temperature.

Replacing is a 32 mm, 1 1/4 inch for the cold beer drinkers, backward threaded thin wrench nut.

The clutches sell for around $60 and it takes 15 minutes to change.

Later,

 

[Rukus]

You can locate the thermostat on the upper large hose on the top of the radiator. it'll be on the engine side of the hose, almost directly where the hose connects to the engine.

 

[wood_e]

Thermostats are cheap, so replace that first since it probably needs to be replaced anyway.

 

[jrt67ss350]

You can locate the thermostat on the upper large hose on the top of the radiator. it'll be on the engine side of the hose, almost directly where the hose connects to the engine.

Just to add to what Rukus said (it's a little different on a 325, Rukus) - on the 325, the thermostat is located directly where the driver's side radiator hose attaches to the engine - not the upper radiator hose. Drain the coolant and disconnect the driver's side radiator hose where it attaches on the driver's side front of the engine. The roundish piece of cast aluminum where the hose attaches is the thermostat housing. It is attached to the head with three bolts - remove the bolts and it will come right off. The thermostat sits right underneath the housing. Very easy job.

If the new thermostat doesn't fix the problem, then you probably need a new fan clutch, just like Ron said. Mine was shot when I bought my 325. I replaced the fan clutch and the thermostat together - took me about 45 minutes or so for the entire job. Easy job, and it completely fixed my overheating and warm A/C problems. I borrowed a 32mm wrench from a friend - it costs about $40 for a Craftsman 32 mm wrench.

 

[jrt67ss350]

This might help

 

[pjgonwa]

If you change the thermostat be sure to bleed the system of any trapped air. You do this by loostening the screw on top the thermostat housing while the engine is running. Once all the air is out and you see a steady stream, tighten the screw.

 

[jrt67ss350]

If you change the thermostat be sure to bleed the system of any trapped air. You do this by loostening the screw on top the thermostat housing while the engine is running. Once all the air is out and you see a steady stream, tighten the screw.

Excellent point. I forgot to add that.