E46 Running Cold

[Zmass]

Anyone any ideas why my e46 325i would suddenly continually run cold? It's been left standing for a week in an open carpark and now the temp gauge won't go above one third, it was fine last week and the gauge always settled dead centre. There's no discernable difference to the drive only the heater isn't as hot.

Help please! Cheers

[soprano]

Zmass said:

Anyone any ideas why my e46 325i would suddenly continually run cold? It's been left standing for a week in an open carpark and now the temp gauge won't go above one third, it was fine last week and the gauge always settled dead centre. There's no discernable difference to the drive only the heater isn't as hot.

Help please! Cheers

The thermo possibly?! Though its a bit difficult to explain why this has happened so suddenly

[Shropshiremike]

Does sound like the thermostat has failed in an open position

[soprano]

Its about 40-50 quid for the original part, fitting it is a bit fiddly but can by done by a competent DIYer - if it is the thermo

HTH

[phelix]

Faulty thermostat; common E46 problem. Plastic bit has broken so it's always open and thus the coolant never heats up properly.

[Zmass]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I can take it to the local garage now and tell them what I think they need to fix - it's a nicer position to be in than asking them what's up.

[soprano]

Zmass said:

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I can take it to the local garage now and tell them what I think they need to fix - it's a nicer position to be in than asking them what's up.

Reckon it should be £50 for the part, and about 1-2 hrs for the labour.