Anyone changed their main thermostat yet?

Digidick · 01-22-2020, 02:49 AM

Whilst checking my mates E61 coolant temps I though I'd see what mine was and was surprised to discover its only running around 80 degrees. Its a 2015 330d on 145k with an EGR bypass so can only be the main stat that needs changing.

Has anyone done this job yet, easy? At least the stat is available on its own but that doesn't mean its any easier.

Lorcan · 01-22-2020, 03:09 AM

We see many older cars that have never had the thermostat changed. On some models there is a separate one for the EGR cooler too.

It's important that these are changed when they fail. Signs of failure are the engine taking ages to warm up, or never reaching operating temperature. If ignored, this can lead to DPF failure as regeneration never happens, then the DPF gets cut out or replaced with a cheap one and this can lead to further problems, all for the sake of a thermostat.

Digidick · 01-22-2020, 03:13 AM

Yep agreed with all that.

Looking for replacement experiences. I'm likely to do it myself but looking for pointers.

Pobsey · 01-22-2020, 04:33 AM

What would you expect the car to run at once warm?

Hooded · 01-22-2020, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pobsey

What would you expect the car to run at once warm?

My 2014 330d runs at 89c+ (Coolant) and 100c (oil) once warmed up.

Hooded · 01-22-2020, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

Whilst checking my mates E61 coolant temps I though I'd see what mine was and was surprised to discover its only running around 80 degrees. Its a 2015 330d on 145k with an EGR bypass so can only be the main stat that needs changing.

Has anyone done this job yet, easy? At least the stat is available on its own but that doesn't mean its any easier.

What are you using to monitor the engine temps?

Running temp of these cars has been discussed recently here ..
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1686512

Digidick · 01-22-2020, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooded

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pobsey

What would you expect the car to run at once warm?

My 2014 330d runs at 89c+ (Coolant) and 100c (oil) once warmed up.

Mmm I was expecting higher, well into the 90's.

Mines at 80 reading with Carly, I'm going to check with the hidden menu on the way home tonight.

Hooded · 01-22-2020, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

Mmm I was expecting higher, well into the 90's.

Mines at 80 reading with Carly, I'm going to check with the hidden menu on the way home tonight.

Yeah check hidden menu. Oil should reach 100c and sit there. Coolant should run at a minimum of 88/89c in colder weather on very low load and a maximum of just over 100c under heavy load in hot weather.
Basically if the thermostat is working correctly the coolant temp shouldn’t really drop back below around 88/89c once the engine is fully heat soaked even in cold weather as the Thermostat should be completely closed below 88c unless it is faulty.

In cold winter ambient temps of 2c my car averaged around 91/92c for coolant in the hidden menu once it was fully up to temp (meaning oil sitting at 100c) when I tested it the weekend and it hit a peak of 94c going up hill, but the car was never driven at high speed or put under heavy load due to traffic and a relatively short journey.
When I tested during summer the coolant peaked at just above 100c after some heavy acceleration though.

Digidick · 01-22-2020, 01:10 PM

Cheers for that info.

Coming home tonight and on a duel carriageway around 70-80mph for 25 minutes it didn't get above 85 degrees so not quite right is it?

Looks easy enough to get at if I can get the fan shroud off (bit tight for man hands otherwise) and then it's just 3 bolts and swap it from the housing.

Hooded · 01-22-2020, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

Cheers for that info.

Coming home tonight and on a duel carriageway around 70-80mph for 25 minutes it didn't get above 85 degrees so not quite right is it?

Looks easy enough to get at if I can get the fan shroud off (bit tight for man hands otherwise) and then it's just 3 bolts and swap it from the housing.

Seems to be running a bit cool yes, ...although If the whole journey was only 25 minutes long, it might not have quite got up to temp yet this time of year.
I would Try it on a slightly longer journey before deciding whether to change it.

Digidick · 01-22-2020, 02:46 PM

It was a 20 mile trip that even had 5 mins on a motorway and some A roads to finish it off.

It wasn't going to get any hotter.

Hooded · 01-22-2020, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

It was a 20 mile trip that even had 5 mins on a motorway and some A roads to finish it off.

It wasn't going to get any hotter.

In that case it looks like the thermostats opening early so will need changing. Not so common on these F series but yours has been round the block a few times at 145k.

Digidick · 01-22-2020, 02:52 PM

Yep

New ones seem to state they open at 87 degrees.

Hooded · 01-22-2020, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

Yep

New ones seem to state they open at 87 degrees.

Yes.. and that should keep the coolant at 88/89c minimum, but in reality it will usually be running a bit higher than that!

HighlandPete · 01-22-2020, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

Yep

New ones seem to state they open at 87 degrees.

Yes, they are rated as 87°C. BMW reference the opening point as approximately 88°C and to be fully open at 100°C.

Digidick · 01-23-2020, 04:21 AM

Having looked its a piece of piss. Remove fan cowling (1 bolt & 1 clip) and then detach the pipe, unbolt the stat housing, replace stat and seal, refit and top up/bleed the system.

I'll report back in due course.

Digidick · 01-29-2020, 11:18 AM

Ok new stat fitted and she still seems to run at 86 degrees but if left standing it'll rise to low 90's so I might have wasted my time and money. I'll monitor it as the weather improves over the next month or so.

KRS_SN · 01-29-2020, 05:50 PM

ive always waited for 10 miles and for over 15 minutes to get my gauge warmed up before I accelerate hard.
wondered if my thermostat was faulty as it would take over 10 miles or over 15 minutes to warm up.
Today I tried an experiment.
3 minutes gentle driving and then on to spirited driving and guess what the thermostat warmed up super quick and engine was smooth as silk in 5 minutes.
I have found my answer to deal with the above problem

Ti Rich · 01-30-2020, 11:33 AM

You may need to change the EGR thermostat. It's easy to do.

Digidick · 01-30-2020, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ti Rich

You may need to change the EGR thermostat. It's easy to do.

Mine has an EGR bypass.

Hooded · 01-30-2020, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

Mine has an EGR bypass.

Hmm, is it possible the bypass is causing it to run a few degrees lower

Digidick · 01-30-2020, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooded

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digidick

Mine has an EGR bypass.

Hmm, is it possible the bypass is causing it to run a few degrees lower

It has crossed my mind. I only checked because my mates E61 needed a new stat, just made me curious and was/still is running great.

01-22-2020, 02:49 AM	#1
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 626 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	Anyone changed their main thermostat yet? Whilst checking my mates E61 coolant temps I though I'd see what mine was and was surprised to discover its only running around 80 degrees. Its a 2015 330d on 145k with an EGR bypass so can only be the main stat that needs changing. Has anyone done this job yet, easy? At least the stat is available on its own but that doesn't mean its any easier.
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01-22-2020, 03:09 AM	#2
Lorcan The artist formerly known as AC Schnitzer UK 3609 Rep 4,518 Posts Drives: The Yellow Peril Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Norfolk UK iTrader: (0)	We see many older cars that have never had the thermostat changed. On some models there is a separate one for the EGR cooler too. It's important that these are changed when they fail. Signs of failure are the engine taking ages to warm up, or never reaching operating temperature. If ignored, this can lead to DPF failure as regeneration never happens, then the DPF gets cut out or replaced with a cheap one and this can lead to further problems, all for the sake of a thermostat.
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01-22-2020, 03:13 AM	#3
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 626 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	Yep agreed with all that. Looking for replacement experiences. I'm likely to do it myself but looking for pointers.
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01-22-2020, 04:33 AM	#4
Pobsey Lieutenant 185 Rep 475 Posts Drives: 2019 F31 330d / 2010 e87 118d Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	What would you expect the car to run at once warm?
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01-22-2020, 01:10 PM	#9
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 626 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	Cheers for that info. Coming home tonight and on a duel carriageway around 70-80mph for 25 minutes it didn't get above 85 degrees so not quite right is it? Looks easy enough to get at if I can get the fan shroud off (bit tight for man hands otherwise) and then it's just 3 bolts and swap it from the housing.
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01-22-2020, 02:46 PM	#11
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 626 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	It was a 20 mile trip that even had 5 mins on a motorway and some A roads to finish it off. It wasn't going to get any hotter.
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01-22-2020, 02:52 PM	#13
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 626 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	Yep New ones seem to state they open at 87 degrees.
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01-23-2020, 04:21 AM	#16
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 626 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	Having looked its a piece of piss. Remove fan cowling (1 bolt & 1 clip) and then detach the pipe, unbolt the stat housing, replace stat and seal, refit and top up/bleed the system. I'll report back in due course.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-29-2020, 11:18 AM	#17
Digidick Captain 142 Rep 626 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Derby iTrader: (0)	Ok new stat fitted and she still seems to run at 86 degrees but if left standing it'll rise to low 90's so I might have wasted my time and money. I'll monitor it as the weather improves over the next month or so.
	Appreciate 1 Eddamoo389.50 Quote

01-29-2020, 05:50 PM	#18
KRS_SN Major General 13432 Rep 5,192 Posts Drives: IX,G07 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 X7 [10.00] X5 [8.50] IX [8.00]	ive always waited for 10 miles and for over 15 minutes to get my gauge warmed up before I accelerate hard. wondered if my thermostat was faulty as it would take over 10 miles or over 15 minutes to warm up. Today I tried an experiment. 3 minutes gentle driving and then on to spirited driving and guess what the thermostat warmed up super quick and engine was smooth as silk in 5 minutes. I have found my answer to deal with the above problem
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2020, 11:33 AM	#19
Ti Rich Major 310 Rep 1,314 Posts Drives: Porsche Macan S D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dudley, West Midlands, UK iTrader: (0)	You may need to change the EGR thermostat. It's easy to do.
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