A

arollingstone

Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #1

Sorry, yet another post about p38 thermostats


How the F*@K do you get to the thermostat?

on a 1996 BMW Diesel

I have the parts, got the workshop manual, and got me tools. But seriously looks like I have to take the whole bloody radiator, fan and cowling off just to get to the stat?
and its not like i have fat hands either, i just cant get a socket anywhere near the bolts, let alone far out enough to change it.

Must be an easier way to do it, what do you guys do/recommend?

 

Last edited: Nov 22, 2013

Saint.V8

Dyed-in-the-wool 100% RR Junkie

Full Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #2

Helps to know what year and what engine as they are all different!!!

 

A

arollingstone

Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #3

woops forgot to add it. :doh:
1996 BMW Diesel

 

JohnnyCrash

New Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #4

Do you still have the viscous fan?

 

JohnnyCrash

New Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #5

If you've no fan it's much easier, so first job is to get the fan and rad cowl out of the way! then......

Tools:

5mm allen key for engine cover
13mm spanner for wiring bracket
10mm spanner for wring bracket and thermostat housing
Screwdriver for hose clips.


Method:

Take the small plastic front cover off the top of the engine.
Remove the 2 bolts under the wiring bracket.
Remove the radiator top hose to thermostat. (also drains off water)

Then there are two bolts on top of the thermostat housing and one beneath - which i got too from the side, leaning over the batter cover.

Then there is space to remove the housing and thermostat, watch out for the seal.

Replace and rebuild.

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

• Nov 22, 2013

• #6

Bit remiss of BMW to not have a quick change thermostat i think.

 

A

arollingstone

Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #7

thanks for the advice, managed it in the end!

as above, once the fan and cowl was off it was a piece of cake.

wammers said:

Bit remiss of BMW to not have a quick change thermostat i think.

Click to expand...

too damn right

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

• Nov 22, 2013

• #8

arollingstone said:

thanks for the advice, managed it in the end!

as above, once the fan and cowl was off it was a piece of cake.




too damn right

Click to expand...

Think you had better get in touch with a suicide counselling service, just in case in the future you have a difficult job to do.

 

T

tomcat59alan

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #9

Saint.V8 said:

Helps to know what year and what engine as they are all different!!!

Click to expand...

Err, I think he O/Ped 96 diesel

 

T

tomcat59alan

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #10

tomcat59alan said:

Err, I think he O/Ped 96 diesel

Click to expand...

Sorry Saint, he edited the o/p, barsteward

 

gfromleeds

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2013

• #11

wammers said:

Bit remiss of BMW to not have a quick change thermostat i think.

Click to expand...

Dont think its designed to be easy do you?? They were fitted to a rangerover after all

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

• Nov 22, 2013

• #12

gfromleeds said:

Dont think its designed to be easy do you?? They were fitted to a rangerover after all

Click to expand...

Pretty simple straight forward job actually. Not a lot is difficult with the correct tools. Not every weekend mechanic has them, so they are going to struggle with most things.