Changed the dreaded thermostat last weekend and discovered a few things I would do different. Just my personal opinion as I am sure somewhere, someone will disagree.

1. Pulling the intercooler may have made the job a little easier but not enough to justify the time unless you just want to clean it.

2. No matter what you do you are going to get antifreeze all over your floor and the top of the engine/xmsn directly below the thermo. So unless you want to change the antifreeze I wouldnt bother removing the lower hose. Once I was done I hosed everything down w/the water hose.

3. If you decide to pull the lower hose spend the 20 bucks and by the pliers for the spring clamps.

4. Put a worm gear clamp back on the lower hose.

5. If your spouse has really small hands thay can reach down from the top and put the lower hose back on after you spend 30 minutes cussing.

Other than the lower rad hose the job really isnt that difficult.

disclaimer...i'm not certified to do anything on a car so if you follow my advice and damage something it isnt my fault. thats why the bmw mechs get paid the big bucks. However if you want something done to your helicopter give me a ring.

 

Thanks for the great advise and a recap of your hindsight! Sometimes the best teachers come from the school of hard knocks!

 

Bam-bam, how big a pain was it to "burp" the cooling system of air? How much fluid did you end up having to use to top-off the system?

Also, let me know when the parts you ordered come in...I need to change my thermostat housing out, my leak came back.

I want to get with you to discuss your experience.

 

I never really got the system to burp per the book. Followed the directions to the letter. I ended up doing it by the book put the plug back in the top ran the car for a while and then rechecked the level then drove the car rechecked the level etc.

Took about a gallon of dilluted antifreeze. If you head to atlanta pick me up gallon please. I have the parts in the garage. Did you bring a housing over or just the thermostat. I ended up using the ones I ordered and all I remember getting from you is the thermo. I am cleaning garage so if you brought a housing over I will have to order another one.

 

We're square, got your text; glad that the housing and thermostat were together in the same box. See you on Thursday.

 

Hey for some reason the reply function for pm wont work. Yes I am a certified AP w/20 plus years on helicopters(all military no civilian)