Starting to put back all of the various pieces on my motor, and need to buy coolant hoses and and a thermostat.
There are a few coolant hose kits out there. Any suggestions where to buy?
Also, anything special about the thermostat? Looks like a conventional design that would be at home in a 1964 Chrysler 300. What temp?
as always thanks!
Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
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John in VA
- Posts: 5295
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Leesburg, VA
Re: Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
FCP Euro has original BMW as well as OEM parts, along with their lifetime replacement warranty. They have a west coast warehouse now for faster delivery.
AutohausAZ also has several parts lines, depending on your budget.
AutohausAZ also has several parts lines, depending on your budget.
Re: Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
Johns suggestions are good, there are a variety of good brands, along with a variety of bad ones too, but with places like Amazon you really have to beware of brands.
Temp. 80C. It's what it was designed for, cooler might slightly impact fuel economy and emissions. A lower temp stat will not help prevent overheating, contrary to popular opinion, by the time it gets anywhere near overheating any of the stats are going to be wide open so it doesn't matter.
Temp. 80C. It's what it was designed for, cooler might slightly impact fuel economy and emissions. A lower temp stat will not help prevent overheating, contrary to popular opinion, by the time it gets anywhere near overheating any of the stats are going to be wide open so it doesn't matter.
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stuartinmn
- Posts: 9464
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Minneapolis
Re: Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
Another option for parts is Blunttech, I've always had good luck with them and I think their prices are generally good. You can place orders online but I prefer calling. https://www.blunttech.com
Re: Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
All of what everyone has said.
I just went through this in trying to get my E28 ready for a roadtrip this past weekend (Los Angeles to Reno, NV and back). I had a really hard time sourcing a good/reputable (re: affordable) 80C aftermarket T-stat. I had been running the colder 71C version for a while but needed to change it back to spec. I couldn't find one at any of the online sources: FCP, AutoHausAZ, Pelican, ECS, BluntTech, even RockAuto (this was within the past 3 weeks, it might be better now).
However they all did carry the BMW version (which is actually made by Wahler) for significantly more money (around $20 for the aftermarket vs. $61 for the BMW). But they were all about a 7-10 day delivery window and I needed it faster. I contacted one of my local BMW dealers and confirmed that 1) They didn't have one in stock (no surprise); 2) It was the same price as everyone else $61 and 3) They could have it two days. While the BMW Parts guy did try to charge their 'retail' (re: exorbitantly expensive) price, as soon as I checked him on that, he backed down to the $61. I bought two just in case and installed one the weekend before last. Worked perfectly on the nearly 1,000 mile trip.
If you don't have one, do get a Bentley manual and follow it for the whole procedure. If you're doing the T-stat, you should flush the whole coolant system including the block. Also, consider replacing all the cooling system components if you're unsure of the age/condition; the cooling system is the Achilles Heel of pretty much all BMW's. My personal rule of thumb is don't cheap out on cooling system parts; buy known high quality aftermarket or BMW branded, it's just not worth the few dollars you save to risk your engine. This goes for hoses, hose clamps, belts and everything else.
Oh, and do install the T-Stat correctly into the housing and not backwards (spring towards the block). And use the correct sealant on the housing.
I just went through this in trying to get my E28 ready for a roadtrip this past weekend (Los Angeles to Reno, NV and back). I had a really hard time sourcing a good/reputable (re: affordable) 80C aftermarket T-stat. I had been running the colder 71C version for a while but needed to change it back to spec. I couldn't find one at any of the online sources: FCP, AutoHausAZ, Pelican, ECS, BluntTech, even RockAuto (this was within the past 3 weeks, it might be better now).
However they all did carry the BMW version (which is actually made by Wahler) for significantly more money (around $20 for the aftermarket vs. $61 for the BMW). But they were all about a 7-10 day delivery window and I needed it faster. I contacted one of my local BMW dealers and confirmed that 1) They didn't have one in stock (no surprise); 2) It was the same price as everyone else $61 and 3) They could have it two days. While the BMW Parts guy did try to charge their 'retail' (re: exorbitantly expensive) price, as soon as I checked him on that, he backed down to the $61. I bought two just in case and installed one the weekend before last. Worked perfectly on the nearly 1,000 mile trip.
If you don't have one, do get a Bentley manual and follow it for the whole procedure. If you're doing the T-stat, you should flush the whole coolant system including the block. Also, consider replacing all the cooling system components if you're unsure of the age/condition; the cooling system is the Achilles Heel of pretty much all BMW's. My personal rule of thumb is don't cheap out on cooling system parts; buy known high quality aftermarket or BMW branded, it's just not worth the few dollars you save to risk your engine. This goes for hoses, hose clamps, belts and everything else.
Oh, and do install the T-Stat correctly into the housing and not backwards (spring towards the block). And use the correct sealant on the housing.
Re: Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
I don't think I have, but there's been many stories over the years about people doing that. I would also add use anti seize on the bolts.vinceg101 wrote: Oct 01, 2024 12:10 PM
Oh, and do install the T-Stat correctly into the housing and not backwards (spring towards the block).
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Mike in Seattle
- Posts: 1561
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: Maple Valley, WA
Re: Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
I bought a silicone set from Ireland Engineering about 10 years ago. It’s probably a bit more expensive than a standard set, but I have been very happy with it!
Re: Where to oder coolant hoses and thermostat?
I bought all new BMW cooling hoses and T-stat from Monterey BMW - https://parts.bmwmonterey.com/ - They were a bit slow to ship and the first time I ordered from them I was worried it wasn't even real, but the parts have always come and they have the best prices for Genuine BMW that I could find and a good system that shows you the parts diagram as you search for parts.
If you're doing all the lines, I'd recommend replacing the plastic T fitting for the lines that go under the intake manifold towards the heater valve and reservoir (iirc).
Beside them I like Blunttech a lot, they're very responsive to questions by email, same pricing as elsewhere, and I remember him from back in my e30 days on Roadfly.
FCP, Pelican, and others also fine and fast shipping usually.
If you're doing all the lines, I'd recommend replacing the plastic T fitting for the lines that go under the intake manifold towards the heater valve and reservoir (iirc).
Beside them I like Blunttech a lot, they're very responsive to questions by email, same pricing as elsewhere, and I remember him from back in my e30 days on Roadfly.
FCP, Pelican, and others also fine and fast shipping usually.