320td- Coolant temperature issue

[Patrick Bateman]

No, not overheating.

In the recent cold weather it rarely gets past the 1/3 mark, a few times it has come back down almost touching the blue after a 12 mile drive. It will vary depending on the type of driving.

With the warmer weather the past couple of days it isn't so bad and it's fine in the summer.

Dodgy thermostat or what?

[soda]

Sounds like thermostat to me, AFAIK they fail in the open position to avoid overheating.

[E30M3SE]

Stat partially stuck open.

[Patrick Bateman]

Thanks for that. I'll get it changed when I get it serviced in the next month or so.

[Jakg]

soda said:

Sounds like thermostat to me, AFAIK they fail in the open position to avoid overheating.

^ this ^

The Rover 75 / MG ZT use the same engine as the e46 320d (M47) and it's a common problem, kills MPG.

Luckily it's not a massive job to change it (On the BMW at least... nightmare on the Rover / MG!)

I'm replacing mine soon for the same reason...

[Patrick Bateman]

Just had the coolant and thermostat done.

Driven a few miles and it is better but can still dip a little bit although I'm guessing this is normal given the freezing temperatures outside.