Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW 3 Compact (E46). AUTODOC recommends:
Check the condition of the coolant every time you replace the thermostat. Change the coolant if necessary.
Please note: all work on the car – BMW 3 Compact (E46) – should be done with the engine switched off.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
Step 1
Open the bonnet.
Step 2
Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3
Unscrew the fasteners of the air distribution housing assembly. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 4
Remove the air distribution housing assembly.
Step 5
Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 6
Lift the car using a jack or place it over an inspection pit.
Step 7
Unscrew the engine cover fastener. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8
Remove the engine cover.
AUTODOC recommends:
Do not apply excessive force when removing the part. Otherwise you may damage it.
Step 9
Prepare a container for fluids.
Step 10
Unscrew the coolant drain plug. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 11
Drain the coolant from the engine.
Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW 3 Compact (E46). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Caution! The coolant can be very hot.Wear gloves to prevent contact with hot liquid.All work should be done with the engine stopped.Wait until the coolant has completely flowed out of the drain hole.
Step 12
Unscrew the coolant reservoir cap.
Step 13
Disconnect the coolant pipe retaining clip. Use a crowbar.
Step 14
Detach the coolant hose. Use a crowbar.
Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW 3 Compact (E46). AUTODOC recommends:
Be careful! The coolant may leak.
Step 15
Screw in the coolant drain plug. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 16
Remove the fastening clamps of the air filter breather pipe and the air filter inlet pipe.
Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17
Remove the air intake hose.
Step 18
Cover the air intake hose with a microfibre towel to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the system.
Step 19
Unscrew the EGR cooler fasteners. Use HEX No.H5.
Step 20
Disconnect the coolant pipe retaining clip. Use a crowbar.
Step 21
Detach the coolant hose.
Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW 3 Compact (E46). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Be careful! The coolant may leak.
Step 22
Loosen the coolant hose clamp. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23
Detach the coolant hose.
Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW 3 Compact (E46). Tip:
Be careful! The coolant may leak.
Step 24
Loosen the clamp on the EGR cooler pipe. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 25
Disconnect the EGR cooler pipe.
Step 26
Unscrew the EGR cooler fasteners. Use a combination spanner #13.
Step 27
Remove the EGR cooler.
Step 28
Cover the EGR cooler pipe with a microfibre cloth to prevent dust and dirt from entering the system.
Step 29
Disconnect the coolant pipe retaining clip. Use a crowbar.
Step 30
Detach the coolant hose.
Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW 3 Compact (E46). Tip from AUTODOC:
Be careful! The coolant may leak.
Step 31
Clean the thermostat housing fasteners. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 32
Unscrew the thermostat housing fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 33
Unscrew the EGR cooler bracket. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 34
Unscrew the thermostat housing fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 35
Remove the thermostat housing.
Step 36
Cover the EGR cooler pipe with a microfibre cloth to prevent dust and dirt from entering the system.
Step 37
Clean the thermostat housing mounting seat. Use a seal scraper. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 38
Remove the microfibre cloth.
Step 39
Treat the thermostat housing mounting seat. Use a sealant.
Step 40
Install the new thermostat housing.
Step 41
Tighten the thermostat housing fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 9 Nm torque.
Step 42
Tighten the EGR cooler bracket.
Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 14 Nm torque.
Step 43
Attach the coolant hose.
Step 44
Connect the coolant pipe retaining clip.
Step 45
Remove the microfibre cloth from the EGR cooler pipe.
Step 46
Install the EGR cooler.
Step 47
Tighten the EGR cooler fasteners. Use HEX No.H5. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 6 Nm torque.
Step 48
Tighten the EGR cooler fasteners. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 12 Nm torque.
Step 49
Connect the EGR cooler pipe.
Step 50
Tighten the clamp of the EGR cooler pipe. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 51
Attach the coolant hose.
Step 52
Secure the coolant hose clamp. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 53
Attach the coolant hose.
Step 54
Connect the coolant pipe retaining clip.
Step 55
Remove the microfibre cloth from the coolant hose.
Step 56
Install the air intake hose and secure it.
Step 57
Install the fastening clamps of the air filter breather pipe and the air filter inlet pipe. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 58
Clean the mounting seats of the coolant hose. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
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