Heating problem!

[nass]

Guys i drove to plymouth and back testerday and it that time my car didnt get warm atall, the fan was blowing out cold too warmish air but never hot air, also the gauge on the dash would go into red every now and again, but the light wouldnt turn on, i pulld ova checkd the water and evrything but the car wasnt heating up, the needle was just goin into that section ,so i dnt know what it could be! help please guys! In bin thinking of selling it for a while, getin the forum i think :D, and after this those thoughts may just become a reality! :confused:

[Ali_]

Well u could just get an M3 like everyone else a standard 3 is sooooo yesterday :p Hope you get the problem sorted.

[Stock323iSaloon]

U have a faulty thermostat. i had the same problem few weeks back. pop into the dealer or nearest GSF or Eurocarparts and get one 35 or 40 quid. DIY is 30min tops and even a spaz like me did it so u shouldn't have any problem too.
- remove fan housing by removing 1 torx screw and 1 push in plastic clip
- disconnect fan power cable thing
- pull fan up and keep it in a safe place
- unclip and disconnect thermostat sensor cable
- remove 2 metallic hose clips from radiator hoses (1 each) that go into the thermostat (use a flathead)
- wriggle and disconnect the 2 hoses from the thermostat (some coolant will spill out)
- using a socket set, remove 4 nuts that hold the thermostat onto the engine block (some coolant will spill out)
- clean the engine block where there rubber seal makes contact
- install new thermostat unit (make sure the rubber seal has fitted tight with no crease)
- attach everything back
- turn key to position 2, temp max, fan speed min
- unscrew rad bleed screw next to the rad cap
- top up coolant
- switch engine on, see the collant start to flow
- tighten bleed screw once the coolant starts to dribble out of the valve
- drive for a while, park it, let the engine cool down, check coolant level, top up where necessary
- u should actually flush the entire system before replacing the unit but this is the lazy way

give me a shout if u need any help. this is a common problem with e46 but fortunately the unit is v accessible so easy DIY:) I may get slated by experienced mechanics on this forum but that's waht I did and worked a treat

[Afif]

yea its minor problem man :). £45 from the dealer i think the part was [hmm.

[nass]

thanks for the help guys, il go to the dealers next week and pick it up,
stock thanks for the blow by blow explanation, im goin to print it out and reffer to it while give it a go! thanks again guys much appreciated! :D

[Stock323iSaloon]

nae bother Nass, just trying to my bit:)

BTW, it may be worthwhile to spray some WD40 onto the bolts a day before you do this in case the bolts snap (this would be a real pain). If u have access to jacks etc., then I suggets u replace the entire cooland but u will need a v long pivoting wratchet to remove the coolant drain plug (this is a pain to remove). once you see the temp needle reach 12'o clock position and hot air coming out, you'll feel like a qualified mecahnic will all the power in the world :D good luck bro!