e46 330 cooling quickly when moving

[_Deano]

I don't know if this is my car or just e46 330 in general, but it takes an age to warm up.
I find that the car will warm (so needle in the middle of the temp gague) in about 15mins if in stop start traffic or on idle. But as soon as i'm moving (about 50mph and above) the needle will drop so that it's only quater way to normal temp from cold.
Is there something that i should be looking at? As i can't remember this happening on the 318, 323, 530 that i've had before.

thanks
Dean

[road_rager]

Your thermostat sounds like it is stuck open, you should get it fixed as it's not good for the engine to run too cool and your emisions will also be too high. Thermostat is a cheap part and usually is not too bad to sort out

[Vee]

As above.
I had the same a couple of months ago on my 330ci. The thermostat was stuck open and needs replacing.
I was advised to do the waterpump at the same time too.
Did it myself as its pretty straight forward.
Quote from a specialist was just over £200 to do both.

[_Deano]

well the car is still under warrenty with BMW, so i should be able to get this done through them.

Thanks for letting me know what the problem is, at least i won't look like a fool asking them to source the problem.

Edited by _Deano on Wednesday 31st December 11:39

[Vee]

_Deano said:

well the car is still under warrenty with BMW, so i should be able to get this done through them.

It will be covered by warranty.
It's unlikely they'll do the pump too but you should consider buying it yourself and asking them to fit it while they're doing the stat.
It will take all of 5 minutes for them to do and save you hassle in the future.