Running cold

[mrscalex]

I just picked up a 2nd Z3 tonight. The intention was too break it for spares to feed the first one. I bought it blind and got it for a good price so wasn't expecting much. Trouble is as soon as I saw it and in-particular when I drove it home I'm not sure if I can bring myself to as it's quite a good'un.

Anyway. The only problem I had with it was the temperature gauge wasn't coming out of the blue, except for the hard slog up Birdlip Hill which is well known for mullering cars. Even then it only briefly crept outside the blue and nowhere near 12 o'clock.

I want to go easy with what I spend on the car until I decide for sure what I do with it. But I'm itching to sort this problem out.

It sounds like a classic thermostat stuck open problem. Could it be anything else before I start spending pennies?

[Zed Carer]

99.9% certain that it is a failed thermostat. Fortunately they do fail open so the engine runs cold rather than failing closed and overheating.

[mrscalex]

Thanks Zed Carer. Pretty clear and conclusive then!

[ben5010]

Had the same issue with mine, the plastic securing lugs for the thermostat had snapped off. You can replace them with metal versions.

[mrscalex]

Had the same issue with mine, the plastic securing lugs for the thermostat had snapped off. You can replace them with metal versions.

Is that on an M44 engine? What lugs are those? Internal that secure the actual valve in place? Did they allow the valve to move slightly and affect operation?

[Del]

Sounds like a typical M44 thermostat issue - one of the first jobs I did on mine. It could be causing the car to run too rich as the ECU thinks the engine hasn't warmed up, so you might get slightly better MPG as well

[kjb1]

Had the same issue with mine, the plastic securing lugs for the thermostat had snapped off. You can replace them with metal versions.

the housing comes complete all one unit, did mine recently, Im lost as to what lugs you are replacing for metal ones?




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[mrscalex]

Are cheapo stats to be avoided?

This is a Circoli for £20

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-T ... 0522318759

[colb]

Same part sold by Carparts4less and Europarts, the Ebay one you linked to is cheaper than both by around £7.
If these two sell that brand there should be no problems with it. I may get one to keep as a spare, went out in the Z today and noticed it was running cool according to the guage, usually sits at 12 but was at 11 today, climbs to 12 if sitting at tickover so it may have been colder air today than I thought. Will keep an eye on it.

[mrscalex]

Same part sold by Carparts4less and Europarts, the Ebay one you linked to is cheaper than both by around £7.
If these two sell that brand there should be no problems with it. I may get one to keep as a spare

I think that's a fair point. They may not be the very finest quality but they should be good enough.

[kjb1]

eurocarparts stat here, £23 and doing the job nicely. For that money you cant moan if it lasts only two to three years.

Put fresh bolts in when I replaced mine. Would 100% recommend anyone to do this, to make life easier the next time around.


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[ben5010]

Had the same issue with mine, the plastic securing lugs for the thermostat had snapped off. You can replace them with metal versions.

Is that on an M44 engine? What lugs are those? Internal that secure the actual valve in place? Did they allow the valve to move slightly and affect operation?

The metal thermostat is secured into the housing by plastic lugs, they break off and allow the thermostat to flop around in the housing. This means it can no longer regulate the flow to control the temperature.

[kjb1]

its easier to just replace whole housing / stat etc whilst in there surely?


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[gookah]

Are cheapo stats to be avoided?

This is a Circoli for £20

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-T ... 0522318759

You could always but a BMW one with it's inherent problem.
'Quality' is no guarantee of quality

[kjb1]

I got one off eurocarparts £22 and its far cheaper than oem.




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