Recommended replacement interval for the part category Engine thermostat : 50000 km

Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change engine thermostat on BMW E46 Touring [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Thermostat for 3 Touring (E46) and other BMW models

Engine thermostat

Thermostat Housing

Thermostat, coolant

        Engine thermostat for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d Diesel (136 hp)
      
        Engine thermostat for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 320 d Diesel (150 hp)
      
        Engine thermostat for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d Diesel (115 hp)
      
        Engine thermostat for BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 d Diesel (116 hp)

Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW E46 Touring. Tools you'll need:

                        All-purpose cleaning spray
                      
                        Sealant
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #13
                      
                        Drive socket # 7
                      
                        Drive socket # 10
                      
                        Drive socket # 12
                      
                        Drive socket # 13
                      
                        HEX bit No.H5
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Flat screwdriver
                      
                        Seal scraper
                      
                        Fluid container
                      
                        Funnel
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Microfibre towel
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW E46 Touring. 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 E46 Touring – 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 E46 Touring. 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 E46 Touring. 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 E46 Touring. 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 E46 Touring. 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 E46 Touring. 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.
Step 59

Attach the coolant hose.
Step 60

Connect the coolant pipe retaining clip.
Step 61

Insert the funnel.
Step 62

Pour coolant in the coolant reservoir.

Replacement: engine thermostat – BMW E46 Touring. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Only use the coolant recommended by the manufacturer.The coolant level should be at the MAX mark.Wait until the air goes out of the system.
Step 63

Unscrew the bleeder screws. Use a flat screwdriver.

Please note!
This is necessary to remove any remaining air from the system.
Step 64

Screw in the bleeder screws. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 65

Check the coolant level. If necessary, top up to the required level.
Step 66

Screw on the coolant reservoir cap.
Step 67

Install the engine cover and secure it.

AUTODOC recommends:
When installing, do not use excessive force to avoid damage to the part.
Step 68

Screw in the engine cover fasteners. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 69

Reinstall the air distribution housing assembly.
Step 70

Screw in the fasteners of the air distribution housing assembly. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 71

Lower the car.
Step 72

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Step 73

Run the engine for a few minutes. This is necessary in order to make sure that the component operates properly.

Step 74

Shut off the engine.

Step 75

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 76

Close the hood.

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