Thermostat

[DEKE]

Hi
What like a job to change thermostat on the 350i,had a good run yesterday but noticed the temp gauge did not get up beyond 60 degrees also heater was not very hot, not bothered about heater but it used to be ok, would the issue be the stat? any help appreciated
Thanks
Deke

[adam quantrill]

It could be - stick it on a fast idle from cold and keep checking the top hose - it should get hot suddenly after around 5 minutes. If it gets warm after only a minute then the stat is stuck open.

[Wedg1e]

The 'stat housing is only two bolts and a new gasket; if you're lucky the bolts won't have corroded into the manifold.
There are two drain cocks on the sides of the engine block; undo them and allow the water to drop out of the top end (or take the bottom hose off the water pump if you can get in there) otherwise you'll probably end up with a flood sat on top of the valley gasket.

[MrPicky]

When you put the new stat in don't forget to put the jiggle pin at the top, this stops the build up of an air pocket around the stat bulb.

[DEKE]

Thanks to all
Deke