E46 running warm?

[B C]

thermostats can stick,  open, closed, partly open, partly closed.

its time for a new one

[RamRod E28]

How much of a bitch is it to do?

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[B C]

i am not exactly sure on an e46. On an E30 its a matter of 10 minutes. Perhaps watching this will give you an idea of what it would take, even though they replace the water pump also. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA8GPapQnqY

how many miles do you have on the car and when was the coolant last changed?

[RamRod E28]

Just ticked over to 120k and all the cooling system was replaced at 90k

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[wasnt m3]

Thermostat is easy. Just do it, much better than the consequences of overheating the car.

[jc43089]

Yep, I have done 2 full rebuilds and a head replacement because of overheating, seems early for failure if you just replaced everything at 90k.  Maybe the thermostat wasn't very good to begin with.  Get a quality one, be careful of local parts store replacements.

[B C]

I have had new thermostats stick closed partially. I have also had a few friends with sticking thermostats that were brand new.

[RamRod E28]

Ok I'll jump right on the thermostat then... It's been fine today so far

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[Hammerdown]

E46 failed thermostat will be in the OPEN position. Easy fix on manual but have to take the fan off on an auto.  Wise to replace water pump while in there. I didn't and  to this day could kick myself.

Keep an eye on temps over the next couple days- it may have been high as a fluke. Or even paper or plastic stuck on the grill and fell off while at work

[RamRod E28]

Trust me I've been keeping an eye on it all the time.

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[RamRod E28]

So weeks have gone by and it's only doing I when I let the car sit for over 16 hours so I'm thinking thermostat...

[RamRod E28]

And after sitting it has to be 10 degrees or colder for it to do it

[RamRod E28]

What thermostat do you guys recommend for replacement?

[RamRod E28]

Bump

[wasnt m3]

Oem

[jc43089]

^ what he said. Don't go cheap.

[RamRod E28]

Pelican parts?

[jc43089]

Yep, they probably sell a couple different ones. Don't have to get the one that says OEM, choose another mfg that says OEM supplier. Same part without the BMW sticker on the box.