This video explores the most common cooling system failures and fixes including Water Pump, Thermostat Housing, Plastic Pulleys, Coolant Overflow Tank, and Radiator for the BMW e36, e46, e34, and e39′s with all variations of the M50, M52 or S50US Engines.
I replaced my waterpump on my e46 every year for 2 years due to the plastic impellers failing. So glad I traded it in for a Honda.
I hate when they use the plastic! GARBAGE!!!!!
E46 3-series thermostats often fail wide open, and the engine runs cold as a result, lowering MPGs as the computer dumps fuel to compensate. It gets worse on the highway with increased air flow. What internally causes this problem? Any way to repair a thermostat like that, or do they just have to be replaced?
great video, thanks
@BimmerM5e39 my e46 has both electric and engine driven fans
Just a information…cooling generally never dry up with white stainings. If the right coolant is used in the right concentration this cannot happen
@scant6681 It does for the hose-clamp style hoses, if your vehicle has the quick-disconnect hoses this housing will not work.
@scant6681 The e36, e34, e39′s have housings that do not have the electronics (some of the e39′s do), they are just a housing that holds the thermostat. For the later e39 and e46′s they do have the electronics and would not be able to use the aluminum housing.
there is a electronic connection on that black thermo housing, so how would the aluminum housing work in place???
@528im52 Quick question, would this aluminum thermostat housing connect the same way as the orignal plastic end connection?
i know my e-36 is all plastic =[
lmao at 7:10 he said nipples
Why didnt bmw just use electric cooling fans, all this plastic junk just makes me angry. 2 electric cooling fans if 1 fails its still 50% more reliable than a broken impeller.
The 94 impala ss/ caprice 9c1 has electric cooling fans and so do 98 and up crown victorias which police still use.
lol..germans exposed
I’VE HAD 4 E39′s AND HAD TROUBLE WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM ON 3 OF THE 4… ONE OF THEM 3 TIMES… IM SO DONE WITH THESE.
pay all that money and you get plastic
@TigerOscar78 We have them at bmpdesigndotcom
Does anybody know where to find plastic replacement Pulleys for metal ones?
@onabreeze azautohaus has the best prices (if you live in the US, anyway, i don’t know about their international shipping)
Plastic against hot metal that cant be good. Where can i get aluminium parts and metal parts?? to replace plastic parts, good video thanks for shareing.
Quick question:
How common is it for the thermostat housings to crack when fitting? I found, even with a new item, the bottom lug would crack before it was able to compress the O-ring and profile gasket.
Must say great video’s all of them,just what iv been looking for a ong time.thanks for that.
Is it possible to one on the rear trailing arm bushings of the e46 coupe? and also how to pressure test the cabin heater matrix and the cooling system itself
@ALLANVC1980 yeah I did,It was a bit over my budget ,I personally dint think it was the right price for its value.also it had the squared rear lights and personally I preferred the Round tail lights. so I’m still hunting for one hahaha Ciao
@LittleModig hey did you check the 2002?
Very good video. Very informative. Please post more of these types of videos.