E46 engine code fault

Your Thermostat replacement info was sound and useful.

Unfortunately whilst most of us have not done our own thermostat replacement, we've all had our BMW's begin to overheat, therefore we all know only too well exactly how that goes down :(
 
Some of us even know what its like to get it to fully overheat. As Fox has said, if the battery light comes on you've killed your engine, I know, I've done it. The only notification you get is the needle twitch. If the temp light comes on then its probably too late anyway. It's also widely known that the 6 pot cooling system is not that good and prone to failure.
 
MadMossy said:
As its the only issue im getting with the car I will look for a replacement thermostat and see if I can fit it myself rather than pay for an hours labour.
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There's no "look" involved. Even from BMW thermostats are cheap. They are also simple to change, BUT (and I will stress this point) it does involve a coolant flush and re-fill (and by definition, a re-bleed).

They are notoriously difficult to bleed correctly, and it does involve jacking the front end up so that the radiator bleed nipple is higher than that of the high-point in the heater matrix.

It's probably an hours worth of work (including bleeding), but do make sure that it is bled correctly.
 
Definitely get it done ASAP.

The fact that you have had prior warning of a catastrophic coolant system failure is a good thing. Use this to your advantage.

Parking on a hill would achieve the same thing as jacking the front end up, if you don't trust your BMW supplied jack ;)
 
What actually happens with these infamous BMW cooling systems to cause them to fail? Like Fox's and PMKeates' did? Design flaw somewhere? I'm curious :)
 
Howard said:
What actually happens with these infamous BMW cooling systems to cause them to fail? Like Fox's and PMKeates' did? Design flaw somewhere? I'm curious :)
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It's basically all crap.

The radiators split. The expansion tanks split. The plastic impellor on the waterpump fails.

But what would I know, I'm sad sad sad sad sad sad.
 
:D

So basically if anyone's buying an E46 or E39, replace everything immediately to avoid it happening any time soon? :p
 
I'll give a few bmw dealers a ring tomorrow and get a quote, been told to avoid Ocean BMW in paignton so any recommendations for either a specialist or dealer ?

Car originally came from Westerly Exeter BMW if that will win any brownie points with em.
 
Maz said:
See post 3#.

More helpful than your unhelpful post criticising me because I questioned the over analysis by one of your BMW buddies.
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If you don't like being criticised then here's an idea - stop posting absolute rubbish.
 
MadMossy said:
I'll give a few bmw dealers a ring tomorrow and get a quote, been told to avoid Ocean BMW in paignton so any recommendations for either a specialist or dealer ?

Car originally came from Westerly Exeter BMW if that will win any brownie points with em.
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Not had many issues with Ocean, my car has been there on numerous occasions. Although frankly with repair work rather than servicing you'd be just as well to take it to a specialist.

I've always found Westerly uncompetitive.
 
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