e46 cooling system

[70proof]

my son has bought a 320ci 2.2 LCI, the water pump needs changing, working but the bearing is a bit rattly

the expansion tank is original part, still got original label on it, tbf the hoses look great, car has 100k and was garage kept

should i replace the tank as youtube mechanics suggest, and are parts off ebay okay, or should i get oem

[danb79]

70proof said:

my son has bought a 320ci 2.2 LCI, the water pump needs changing, working but the bearing is a bit rattly

the expansion tank is original part, still got original label on it, tbf the hoses look great, car has 100k and was garage kept

should i replace the tank as youtube mechanics suggest, and are parts off ebay okay, or should i get oem

The M54 is a great engine; cooling system is generally chocolate though unless well looked after. I'd deffo change the header tank if you can (Febi, Mahle etc - stick with OE / OEM brands)

Water pump I'd go either Meyle or Mahle again; stat go for Walher if you can. Id change the top/bottom hoses for peace of mind too, may as well whilst it's all out, Febi again or Gates etc

C3BMW and BMWmotormec will have all the parts you need

Comma G48 for the coolant

Every E39 530i I had with the M54; first thing I did was overhaul the cooling system - never let me down once that was done

[70proof]

Many thanks

[Mr Tidy]

When I bought my E46 325ti it had done 80K, and within a couple of thousand miles the radiator started leaking as it was bent like a banana at the bottom. So I had the whole system refreshed and had no more cooling issues.

So it would be worth checking the radiator while you're at it.

[danb79]

Mr Tidy said:

When I bought my E46 325ti it had done 80K, and within a couple of thousand miles the radiator started leaking as it was bent like a banana at the bottom. So I had the whole system refreshed and had no more cooling issues.

So it would be worth checking the radiator while you're at it.

Good call. Behr is OEM but Nissens are solid also

[70proof]

which stat do you change or is it the housing one changes, thanks

[danb79]

70proof said:

which stat do you change or is it the housing one changes, thanks

It's one piece; this is the Wahler one as recommended

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273373387540?_nkw=11530...

[70proof]

top man, thanks

[Ryyy]

danb79 said:

The M54 is a great engine; cooling system is generally chocolate though unless well looked after. I'd deffo change the header tank if you can (Febi, Mahle etc - stick with OE / OEM brands)

Water pump I'd go either Meyle or Mahle again; stat go for Walher if you can. Id change the top/bottom hoses for peace of mind too, may as well whilst it's all out, Febi again or Gates etc

C3BMW and BMWmotormec will have all the parts you need

Comma G48 for the coolant

Every E39 530i I had with the M54; first thing I did was overhaul the cooling system - never let me down once that was done

Out of pure curiosity of loving the e46, how much is said overhaul of the cooling system? If it was the m54 of course just incase i do ever bit the bullet but theres a list of cars and my never ending battle of going for it and not going for it in my head

[danb79]

Ryyy said:

danb79 said:

The M54 is a great engine; cooling system is generally chocolate though unless well looked after. I'd deffo change the header tank if you can (Febi, Mahle etc - stick with OE / OEM brands)

Water pump I'd go either Meyle or Mahle again; stat go for Walher if you can. Id change the top/bottom hoses for peace of mind too, may as well whilst it's all out, Febi again or Gates etc

C3BMW and BMWmotormec will have all the parts you need

Comma G48 for the coolant

Every E39 530i I had with the M54; first thing I did was overhaul the cooling system - never let me down once that was done

Out of pure curiosity of loving the e46, how much is said overhaul of the cooling system? If it was the m54 of course just incase i do ever bit the bullet but theres a list of cars and my never ending battle of going for it and not going for it in my head

DIY, c£150 in parts and coolant exc. the rad. If you need the rad, they're c£150 IIRC, so that on top

If being done by an indy - probably a good 3 hours labour as well

The issue is; where do you stop

Personally I'm one of those that think whilst it's all apart, may as well do the belts, pulleys, viscous clutch, oil filter housing gasket etc etc

Edited by danb79 on Wednesday 14th August 20:56

[Ryyy]

danb79 said:

DIY, c£150 in parts and coolant exc. the rad. If you need the rad, they're c£150 IIRC, so that on top

If being done by an indy - probably a good 3 hours labour as well

The issue is; where do you stop

Personally I'm one of those that think whilst it's all apart, may as well do the belts, pulleys, viscous clutch, oil filter housing gasket etc etc

Edited by danb79 on Wednesday 14th August 20:56

Thankyou for that,Thats a lot less than i inticipated i thought old german metal was meant to be expensive?

[danb79]

Ryyy said:

danb79 said:

DIY, c£150 in parts and coolant exc. the rad. If you need the rad, they're c£150 IIRC, so that on top

If being done by an indy - probably a good 3 hours labour as well

The issue is; where do you stop

Personally I'm one of those that think whilst it's all apart, may as well do the belts, pulleys, viscous clutch, oil filter housing gasket etc etc

Edited by danb79 on Wednesday 14th August 20:56

Thankyou for that,Thats a lot less than i inticipated i thought old german metal was meant to be expensive?

The parts aren't that expensive bar the rad (which again isn't that expensive)

Wahler/Febi Stat c£40, Meyle/Febi water pump c£35, Febi top/bottom hoses c£40, Cooma G48 coolant & deionised water c£30

[70proof]

Ryyy said:

Out of pure curiosity of loving the e46, how much is said overhaul of the cooling system? If it was the m54 of course just incase i do ever bit the bullet but theres a list of cars and my never ending battle of going for it and not going for it in my head

meyle pump 27
meyle expansion tank 31
whler stat 40
o ring set 2

tbh watching repair guides on youtube can be done by self easily

[70proof]

parts all off ebay sellers are now here, look genuine and top quality, arrived within 48 hours too

[danb79]

70proof said:

parts all off ebay sellers are now here, look genuine and top quality, arrived within 48 hours too

Which seller(s) did you use?

[Mr Tidy]

Ryyy said:

Out of pure curiosity of loving the e46, how much is said overhaul of the cooling system? If it was the m54 of course just incase i do ever bit the bullet but theres a list of cars and my never ending battle of going for it and not going for it in my head

My BMW Indy charged me £469.47 in August 2015 to supply and fit a new radiator, cap, thermostat, expansion tank, alternator belt and coolant temperature sensor.

[Ryyy]

These prices really arent bad, i reckon ill be over that on mot day for the insignia

[70proof]

danb79 said:

Which seller(s) did you use?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273373387540

the thermostat from motormec who have their own website now

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395172254871
waterpump

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162550247704
expansion tank