E36 cooling system upgrade

[Reidtastic]

Hi Guys,

I've recently acquired a 98 323i and I'm looking to upgrade the cooling system, the car will be used for everyday driving and track use. It's done about 80k so I'll be replacing all major components to avoid future issues. Anyhoo from the research I have done I will be ordereing the following parts, if you could please advise on the questions asked or if you feel I have missed anything that would be great - please note I'm on a budget but don't want to sacrifice equipment quality.

1) Belts - what belts should be replaced ? Just the AC ?

2) Water pump - can anyone reccomend a place / part number where a good quality metal impeller pump can be sourced

3) thermostat housing - as above any recommendations for a good quality metal item (I have heard some metal items are not the best quality)

4) thermostat - should I go for a reduced temperature unit ?

5) New fan blades - any recommendations on a quality item

6) Fan shrouds - what is the issue here ? And what do I need to do to repair it ? Or does it actually need done

7) Upper and lower cooling hoses - no real comments here, simple enough

8) radiator, expansion tank, cap and bleed nipple, - I've not got the money for an upgrade such as Mishimoto etc put is there any simple upgrades worth considdereing here or recommended all alloy tanks ? If the only option is plastic then if someone could recommend me an OEM quality manufacture / unit

Also is the 323i cooling system the same as the 328i ?

Comments to the above would be much appreciated, I will hopefully purchase all parts over my next two wages depending the price of the parts

(Even if someone makes / sells a kit this may be an option ?)

Cheers in advance !

[SebringMan]

Here is my input for your points

1) Change the lot. The belts are inexpensive. Contitech, Gates or Dayco belts will be fine here.

2) Genuine if you can. If yours is fine I'd leave it personally.

3) Again, stick with your plastic item. I've done some massive mileages in cars with plastic items and been fine. I suspect the plastic ones breaking have been down to severe overheating; you'd be surprised what people put up with in a car.

4) Again, the stock item will be fine. The water in the rad will be cooler after all .

5) If it is fine I'd leave it. the viscous coupling may not be all that. Genuine is best here but the Hella/BEHR item in my E46 M3 is fine and works spot on.

6) If the shroud is fine leave it. Otherwise, go to eBay .

7) If they are not balooning or cracked I'd leave 'em .

8) Genuine for the best part. If on a budget Nissens rads are fine. ECP for an OE branded expansion tank should be OK. You'd be surprised at the difference just a new radiator can make to the cooling ability.

One thing I would say is only use Comma G48 or BMW antifreeze and ensure it is changed every 3 years.

[Dannbodge]

Pretty much what he said.

I used a Meyle waterpump (they come with metal impeller and 2 yr warranty)when I replaced mine
I also replaced the thermostat housing as I hit it with a hammer and broke it. The one from Euro Car parts was metal when I bought it.

[nosuchuser]

I replaced my rad with a ECP one for £101, it was badged as Behr Hella and has been fine. It does not come with a rad cap though so order one from BMW

[Reidtastic]

Excellent guys brilliant !!

Is there any separate gaskets I need to buy or do they come with the parts ?

With regards to OEM brats does anyone know who makes the parts ? E.g. It I could source through the web as opposed to going through a dealer ?

With regards to the belts what is accessible / what ones do I need e.g. Just is it just two belts ? Does any tensioner / bearings need changed as part of course ?

Thanks

[SebringMan]

Reidtastic said:

Excellent guys brilliant !!

Is there any separate gaskets I need to buy or do they come with the parts ?

With regards to OEM brats does anyone know who makes the parts ? E.g. It I could source through the web as opposed to going through a dealer ?

With regards to the belts what is accessible / what ones do I need e.g. Just is it just two belts ? Does any tensioner / bearings need changed as part of course ?

Thanks

You'll need a thermostat gasket otherwise it will leak

For the thermostat definitely go genuine ; Wahler make them from memory. You are talking a £10 difference and from what I have seen the non-genuine items have a lower temp and can make bleeding an already awkward system to bleed even more awkward. That is despite following the bleeding procedure to the letter ; I and a friend and been there and done it. IIRC mine came to less than £30 including gaskets and held a rock steady temp on my E36 323i.


The belts are accessible but it will probably be easier to change them with the viscous coupling off ; here I am basing it off my E46 M3 admittedly as they were 'OK' on my E36. You'll have to see what state the tensioners are in when they are removed, but the chances are they are worn. In this case some INA items should set you straight .

The latter silenced a number of noises on my E46.

Here is my thread on my 323i albeit there are now no car images courtesy of Photobucket:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 13th September 18:49