12-29-2016, 04:09 PM
Mileage: 129,150
Replaced the thermostat today. The car's temp gauge is less buffered compared to a non-M, so it should move around a little bit during normal driving, but it shouldn't hang out at the 1/4 mark throughout a 30 minute drive. I checked the ECU with my scan tool once it was warmed up, and it was never getting any warmer than about 170* F, which is not considered normal operating temperature.
Easy enough job compared to the E36 - there is an annoying amount of plastic to remove (fan shroud, radiator ducting, air intake ducting) as well as random bits that eventually let you access thermostat housing bolts (Xenon ballast, airbox) but it all came apart and went back together easily. The thermostat housing lifts off from the top, not the front like the E36, which I found odd. It made installation of the new pieces much easier though, as you can just drop stuff in place instead of trying to hold it all together while you smash the housing back in place.
The main drive belt looks new, the AC belt is starting to crack. I'll have to order one but won't make it a priority as that's the only thing the belt runs and my need for AC right now is close to nil.
Yay, maintenance. Glad to have it done before we get super cold weather and I stop wanting to work on anything.
Replaced the thermostat today. The car's temp gauge is less buffered compared to a non-M, so it should move around a little bit during normal driving, but it shouldn't hang out at the 1/4 mark throughout a 30 minute drive. I checked the ECU with my scan tool once it was warmed up, and it was never getting any warmer than about 170* F, which is not considered normal operating temperature.
Easy enough job compared to the E36 - there is an annoying amount of plastic to remove (fan shroud, radiator ducting, air intake ducting) as well as random bits that eventually let you access thermostat housing bolts (Xenon ballast, airbox) but it all came apart and went back together easily. The thermostat housing lifts off from the top, not the front like the E36, which I found odd. It made installation of the new pieces much easier though, as you can just drop stuff in place instead of trying to hold it all together while you smash the housing back in place.
The main drive belt looks new, the AC belt is starting to crack. I'll have to order one but won't make it a priority as that's the only thing the belt runs and my need for AC right now is close to nil.
Yay, maintenance. Glad to have it done before we get super cold weather and I stop wanting to work on anything.
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M