Changing thermostat concern - E39 M5
Discussion
I have a bit of a concern regarding the changing of my thermostat.
These are the parts I have ordered.
1 x Thermostat
1 x Gasket
8 x O Rings (4 of 11 53 1406249 and 4 of 11 53 1710055)
Reading up on this, I know the O Rings are the troublesome part. Should I have gotten more of the larger ones?
I also read up that there is a gasket / seal in the housing that can be a pain to replace. Is that the gasket I have ordered, or another part? Should I change it?
I havent ordered any hoses, other than the top VANOS ones as they're getting a bit squishy now, not too bad, but bad enough.
I am doing this tomorrow with my gf's dad. I do not want to attempt the thermostat if I do not have enough parts etc. I cannot leave the car stranded as we are doing this at his work.
I also havent ordered any of the Crush washers as I wasnt aware I needed these, for draining the coolant off.
I have a feeling I wont be doing the thermostat this weekend, which will be a pain, as I am taking the car to France in 3 weeks.
These are the parts I have ordered.
1 x Thermostat
1 x Gasket
8 x O Rings (4 of 11 53 1406249 and 4 of 11 53 1710055)
Reading up on this, I know the O Rings are the troublesome part. Should I have gotten more of the larger ones?
I also read up that there is a gasket / seal in the housing that can be a pain to replace. Is that the gasket I have ordered, or another part? Should I change it?
I havent ordered any hoses, other than the top VANOS ones as they're getting a bit squishy now, not too bad, but bad enough.
I am doing this tomorrow with my gf's dad. I do not want to attempt the thermostat if I do not have enough parts etc. I cannot leave the car stranded as we are doing this at his work.
I also havent ordered any of the Crush washers as I wasnt aware I needed these, for draining the coolant off.
I have a feeling I wont be doing the thermostat this weekend, which will be a pain, as I am taking the car to France in 3 weeks.
I didn't bother with the gasket myself.
No pinched o-rings for me. Went back in and, so far, a year on still no leaks. Just take your time and ease it back in slowly. I used some coolant as a lubricant though others use vaseline I believe.
Crush washers? Presumably for the oil line that bolts on to the top of the thermostat housing although some people seem to think that you can do it without disconnecting this? I didn't change those either and they haven't leaked.
Where are you in London? I may have some spare o-rings in the garage somewhere if you need some.
Duncan
No pinched o-rings for me. Went back in and, so far, a year on still no leaks. Just take your time and ease it back in slowly. I used some coolant as a lubricant though others use vaseline I believe.
Crush washers? Presumably for the oil line that bolts on to the top of the thermostat housing although some people seem to think that you can do it without disconnecting this? I didn't change those either and they haven't leaked.
Where are you in London? I may have some spare o-rings in the garage somewhere if you need some.
Duncan
FunkySon said:
I didn't bother with the gasket myself.
No pinched o-rings for me. Went back in and, so far, a year on still no leaks. Just take your time and ease it back in slowly. I used some coolant as a lubricant though others use vaseline I believe.
Crush washers? Presumably for the oil line that bolts on to the top of the thermostat housing although some people seem to think that you can do it without disconnecting this? I didn't change those either and they haven't leaked.
Where are you in London? I may have some spare o-rings in the garage somewhere if you need some.
Duncan
Hi Duncan,No pinched o-rings for me. Went back in and, so far, a year on still no leaks. Just take your time and ease it back in slowly. I used some coolant as a lubricant though others use vaseline I believe.
Crush washers? Presumably for the oil line that bolts on to the top of the thermostat housing although some people seem to think that you can do it without disconnecting this? I didn't change those either and they haven't leaked.
Where are you in London? I may have some spare o-rings in the garage somewhere if you need some.
Duncan
I'm in North London. Very kind offer regardless. Im getting the work done in Aylesbury as thats where my GF lives. The crush washers I meant are for the block, but I'll just disconnect the bottom radiator hose.
If you nee to be able to move the car after changing the thermostat for the first time you should have at least one full set of O rings, probably more.
The material that the O rings are made of is very soft and they are easily nipped. They are also a little over size which make it more difficult to get them in.
I'm not saying it can't be done without damaging the O rings, it can and it's easier if you take the Plenum off, I'm just saying it's very easy to damage the O rings and if you don't have any spare you're a bit buggered.
The material that the O rings are made of is very soft and they are easily nipped. They are also a little over size which make it more difficult to get them in.
I'm not saying it can't be done without damaging the O rings, it can and it's easier if you take the Plenum off, I'm just saying it's very easy to damage the O rings and if you don't have any spare you're a bit buggered.
RichardM5 said:
If you nee to be able to move the car after changing the thermostat for the first time you should have at least one full set of O rings, probably more.
The material that the O rings are made of is very soft and they are easily nipped. They are also a little over size which make it more difficult to get them in.
I'm not saying it can't be done without damaging the O rings, it can and it's easier if you take the Plenum off, I'm just saying it's very easy to damage the O rings and if you don't have any spare you're a bit buggered.
Cheers Richard.The material that the O rings are made of is very soft and they are easily nipped. They are also a little over size which make it more difficult to get them in.
I'm not saying it can't be done without damaging the O rings, it can and it's easier if you take the Plenum off, I'm just saying it's very easy to damage the O rings and if you don't have any spare you're a bit buggered.
Which parts on here do I need?
RealOEM.com Â* BMW E39 M5 Crankcase-Ventilation/oil separator
Also, do I need any seals for the plemum chamber if I take that off?
Morning fella,
Just noticed you posting about this on here.
Just a quick note, don't get sucked into the hype on M5 board about stuff like the thermostat. Honestly, there is utter war and peace on there about it (along with most things), the same questions asked over and over again, and a lot of 'willy waving', as Jamie described it the other night. It's one of the reasons I posted my sarcastic comment the other night, I'm quite laid back but sometimes it winds me up. Personally, I don't care if someone can do their rod bearings without any tools or if they're a rocket scientist. It's not a difficult job, you would see if you did it yourself, just requires time and care. If you follow the DIY's, it all falls into place.
I can understand you having Phil do it if time is tight and you're fearful of stranding yourself in French France, but really, take what's said on the board occasionally with a pinch of salt. Take the technical detail and ignore the ego's
I'll PM you my number if you like, although if you ask, there's many who'd be happy to guide you, I'm sure.
Just noticed you posting about this on here.
Just a quick note, don't get sucked into the hype on M5 board about stuff like the thermostat. Honestly, there is utter war and peace on there about it (along with most things), the same questions asked over and over again, and a lot of 'willy waving', as Jamie described it the other night. It's one of the reasons I posted my sarcastic comment the other night, I'm quite laid back but sometimes it winds me up. Personally, I don't care if someone can do their rod bearings without any tools or if they're a rocket scientist. It's not a difficult job, you would see if you did it yourself, just requires time and care. If you follow the DIY's, it all falls into place.
I can understand you having Phil do it if time is tight and you're fearful of stranding yourself in French France, but really, take what's said on the board occasionally with a pinch of salt. Take the technical detail and ignore the ego's
I'll PM you my number if you like, although if you ask, there's many who'd be happy to guide you, I'm sure.
Feeblebob said:
Morning fella,
Just noticed you posting about this on here.
Just a quick note, don't get sucked into the hype on M5 board about stuff like the thermostat. Honestly, there is utter war and peace on there about it (along with most things), the same questions asked over and over again, and a lot of 'willy waving', as Jamie described it the other night. It's one of the reasons I posted my sarcastic comment the other night, I'm quite laid back but sometimes it winds me up. Personally, I don't care if someone can do their rod bearings without any tools or if they're a rocket scientist. It's not a difficult job, you would see if you did it yourself, just requires time and care. If you follow the DIY's, it all falls into place.
I can understand you having Phil do it if time is tight and you're fearful of stranding yourself in French France, but really, take what's said on the board occasionally with a pinch of salt. Take the technical detail and ignore the ego's
I'll PM you my number if you like, although if you ask, there's many who'd be happy to guide you, I'm sure.
Hi Pal,Just noticed you posting about this on here.
Just a quick note, don't get sucked into the hype on M5 board about stuff like the thermostat. Honestly, there is utter war and peace on there about it (along with most things), the same questions asked over and over again, and a lot of 'willy waving', as Jamie described it the other night. It's one of the reasons I posted my sarcastic comment the other night, I'm quite laid back but sometimes it winds me up. Personally, I don't care if someone can do their rod bearings without any tools or if they're a rocket scientist. It's not a difficult job, you would see if you did it yourself, just requires time and care. If you follow the DIY's, it all falls into place.
I can understand you having Phil do it if time is tight and you're fearful of stranding yourself in French France, but really, take what's said on the board occasionally with a pinch of salt. Take the technical detail and ignore the ego's
I'll PM you my number if you like, although if you ask, there's many who'd be happy to guide you, I'm sure.
Hahaha, thats the trouble with the interwebs, opinions are like a
holes, everyones got one! I've booked it in with Phil, he's doing it next week. If I wasnt driving to French France on the 13th then I'd have a go at it myself. I cannot afford to take the risk really. He did say himself that its a pretty easy job and is around an hour and a half's labour. He can probably do it with both arm's removed quicker than it would take me to take the plenum off
Always happy for number of folks with M5's regardless, always have questions etc. I also find myself up North on occasion (I'm from Hull originally and my family is still there, and have friends in Sheffield / Rotherham) so could always chew the fat if I'm up that way.
Cheers.
Mike
Just did mine last weekend for the 2nd time.
Once you've done it once, it really is a very simple job. The most tedious part is getting the car up on stands and getting the undertray off.
Rather than pay BMW prices for generic O-rings I bought mine from eBay (31mm x 2.5mm for the large ones at £2.15 posted for a pack of 25 - don't bother buying extras for the small ones as they don't tear). I found it useful to put the O-rings in the freezer overnight - it's when they get warm and pliable that the likelihood of tearing them increases.
I'm pretty rubbish at car mechanics but I have the entire process down to two hours now (of which a full hour is taking off and putting back the undertray).
Phil will take care of you - ask him if he is installing an OEM 'stat or using a Stant 81-degree version which he has been doing lately.
Once you've done it once, it really is a very simple job. The most tedious part is getting the car up on stands and getting the undertray off.
Rather than pay BMW prices for generic O-rings I bought mine from eBay (31mm x 2.5mm for the large ones at £2.15 posted for a pack of 25 - don't bother buying extras for the small ones as they don't tear). I found it useful to put the O-rings in the freezer overnight - it's when they get warm and pliable that the likelihood of tearing them increases.
I'm pretty rubbish at car mechanics but I have the entire process down to two hours now (of which a full hour is taking off and putting back the undertray).
Phil will take care of you - ask him if he is installing an OEM 'stat or using a Stant 81-degree version which he has been doing lately.
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