Ricapar

Long story short, I need a new thermostat. I already have the replacement, new BMW coolant, etc.


I've lifted the car on jackstands, drained the coolant, and I know where the thermostat is located. I just can't for the life of me figure out how to get it out.

I see the two screws that hold it in, and there are 4-5 tubes going to it. I managed to get one out. The others are still suck behind a jumble of other cables and misc. other things that are in the way.

How much do I have to take apart to get this out?

There aren't any real DIYs here on the forum... already looked near and far. I have BMW TIS, but it's of no real help:



Note the convenient ""Illustration show coolant thermostat removed" line. =\


I've been going at this since the morning.. almost at my wit's end. Pondering taking it to a local shop if it really is this bad.

On a note about the above.... If I do decide to take it somewhere else, I obviously can't drive it there with no coolant. I don't want to waste all of the coolant I just brought just to drive it over there, where they'll just drain it again. Would it be a bad idea to re-fill the coolant with what I drained out initially (just for the drive over to the shop)?

BIM530I

How much harder is it for you to disconnect the water pump so you can get better access to the other hoses? I know you can do it.

Good luck.

Rizbel

I replaced my thermostat last June. Remove the underside cover for access to the thermostat.
The TIS instruction is simple, but doing it is a different story (access is a bitch with little working space).
BMW Simple Thermostat.pdf Hope this helps. I removed references to removing the water pump.
Good luck

Ricapar

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIM530I

How much harder is it for you to disconnect the water pump so you can get better access to the other hoses? I know you can do it.

Good luck.

Not going at the water pump.. =\ That one sounds more risky, and I'd need to buy me some of those aluminum screws that you can only use once if I go there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizbel

I replaced my thermostat last June. Remove the underside cover for access to the thermostat.
Attachment 128340 Hope this helps. I removed references to removing the water pump.
Good luck

Your thread was one of the ones I looked through
However, in my searches, I've found that the positioning for the 545 thermostat is a bit different than that in a 525. I've found several guides for 545's, 550's, and M5's. Nothing for my lowly 525xi though

The thing is like... in a tiny corner, covered by other tubes. I could probably get at the front-ish three tubes with more time and patience, but I have no idea how to get at that back one.


Would anyone with a Bentely manual be able to scan/take a picture of the relevant pages? Do they say anything about the 525xi?

I'm not sure where to attack those back cables from.

Rizbel

I'll post the whole DIY; I think it's for the 525i.