Reddit mentions: The best automotive engine thermostats

50's Kid (Super Awesome): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCml-eeSLJZ38Q5_sUnUXrZw

Shop Life TV (Pretty effen gewd): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5jnm5CEnLSEmoQ-ktgAj6g

Well the people in the forums are the people with the problems, but that's not to say they aren't the most knowledgeable group of people about the e46. But the youngest E46 is 12 years old, so unless it's a garage kept car from an old couple, it'll have to be fixed a little soon into your ownership. You'll be advised to do $300,000 in preventative maintenance when on the forums, don't. I love my car but I only paid $3,000 for mine had I done everything the forum members suggested I would've spent another $3,000 in repairs. Keep up on your plugs and coils. If I'm not mistaken the 328s and 325s have transmissions made by GM and no one cares for them, so wait for a 330. I'm sure I'll get corrected on the transmissions but whatevs enjoy the plethora of links.

A Bosche fuel pump from Amazon is $130 and the gasket is $20.

Pump:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BZJE9C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Gasket:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054JTTFO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The exact fuel filter $60:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006Q7HDII/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

OEM plugs are $35, again Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DERDU44/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DISA rebuild kit is $80 (DO THIS ONE ASAP, It's the one thing I always tell people, it'll prevent a steel pin from falling into a cylinder and ruining your engine) I bought mine from G.A.S. German Auto Sport I think. I love their warranty, if my DISA fails they'll give me that $80 towards one of their DISA units, like $400

Coolant system:
Expansion tank - $30 (Amazon) - known as the most likely failure

Radiator -$150 (AutoZone)
Lower radiator hose - $30 (Advance)

Temp sensor in lower hose - $8 (Amazon)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FU9H9PO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Upper radiator hose - $30 (AutoZone)
Water pump - $55 (AutoZone)
Thermostat - $55 (AutoZone)

Transmission intercooler thermostat - $16 (Amazon)

https://www.amazon.com/Orion-Cooler-Expansion-Thermostat-17111437362/dp/B074K8SXL8/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1522204403&sr=1-2-fkmr1&keywords=e46+transmission+intercooler+thermostat

I was able to remove the radiator without being about to tell the water pump had an issue. Installed the new radiator, gave my fan a wiggle and then knew I had replaced two hoses, an expansion tank, and a radiator for nothing. Cost: confidence as myself as a mechanic and an engineer and $295 (didn't replace the temp sensor or thermostat, and I was lucky enough to reuse the transmission intercooler thermostat!!!!!!11!1!!11!!)


I paid $90 for a pack of coils 40,000 miles ago. The entire CCV is $55, you guessed it, Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/11617501566-11611432559-11617504535-11157532649-11617504536/dp/B00I3RBDDK/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1522204499&sr=1-2&keywords=e46+CCV


One pair of HID headlights - $28
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRTEMCO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1



For two years of ownership starting at 153,000 miles and currently at 197,000, 8 months of driving 110 miles a day, five days a week, and now I drive 800 miles a week.

The hardest on this list are the fuel filter (unless you have access to a lift, I hate putting my car on stands) and the CCV, to replace the CCV you have to remove the intake manifold.

The DISA takes 10 minutes if you take the time to drink a beer MAKE SURE YOU BUY A KIT THAT INCLUDES A NEW GASKET

If you have problems head to here or the forums, I feel like I've written a book, but I spent forever tracking a couple issues only to find out it was the plugs. Check the plugs first.




Essential tools:

OBD2 WIFI adapter: $20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W0SDLRY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Regular socket set: $73

https://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-64-piece-Standard-metric-Mechanics/dp/B00GR8WEDU/ref=sr_1_24?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1522203667&sr=1-24&keywords=Kobalt+Socket+set

(5mm to 16mm or so, and includes bits you'll really want a wide flathead, Torx 25 or 30 for the cabin air filter mounting screws, and Philips, double check what this one includes)


Torque wrench: $35
https://www.amazon.com/Tacklife-Calibrated-13-6-108-5Nm-Certification-Extension/dp/B073VLDLQR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1522203362&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=torque+wrench&psc=1


6”-8" Socket extension: $10
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-4966-8-Inch-Extension-3-Piece/dp/B000NW85F2/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1522203436&sr=1-6&keywords=8%22+socket+extension


Fan removal tool set - $20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTV8EO4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc150=1


Including all tools that's $850 Hope this helps, the car is really easy to work on, I enjoy driving it. One last piece of advice never short trip your car, especially in cold weather, you could fill the CCV with mayo and it could lead to hydrolocking/self destruction of the engine. If you live South of Pennsylvania you shouldn't have to worry too much, some people put an ounce or so of Seafoam into the CCV a month. You don't need to follow these links to the tee but they should help.

Try NAPA maybe? Even if it's not Stant brand, NAPA seems to have better parts than the other parts store chains, but it's more expensive. Stant can be had on amazon for a few dollars. Autozone's Duralast and Failsafe are just garbage in my experience, so no wonder you are having trouble with those brands.

Good luck man!

https://www.amazon.com/Stant-45359-SuperStat-Thermostat-Fahrenheit/dp/B000C7YRNM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=stant+195&pd_rd_r=06098c24-1ad2-405c-aeb6-2442d6b90638&pd_rd_w=SJdeE&pd_rd_wg=aY9Uu&pf_rd_p=9e334aac-d5e5-42f4-99b3-257ad129944e&pf_rd_r=79B6CDGZ2CYTX288NDSF&pid=4o0M34Z&qid=1572455260&sr=1-1&vehicle=2001-42-347-13--9--8-3360-242-8-2--14-&vehicleName=2001+Jeep+Cherokee

Bam. Awesome game plan. I live in the northeast. Would the 80 deg (C) t-stat be what I'm after given that we've now got snow on the ground? We don't have many 90 deg+ days here in the summer, though they do occur.

EDIT: Found this one on Amazon with high res pics. They are stamped with the temp. https://www.amazon.com/MAHLE-ORIGINAL-TX2780D-Thermostat-Insert/dp/B00DQ8NMZI/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1542578894&vehicle=1990-31-174-20--7-6-7-454-168-1-1---1-0&sr=1-1&ymm=1990%3Abmw%3A325is&keywords=thermostat

EDIT 2: 80 deg C is the OEM. I'll go with that.

I ordered everything off amazon and did my thermostat, water pump, expansion tank, also on the automatic cars (like mine) there is another thermostat on the bottom of the expansion tank when you remove it, which most likely broke when your tank exploded

I also snapped off the drain screw/plug on the bottom of the expansion tank when switching it over...so I filled er' up with coolant, only to realize the MF'er was busted ever so slightly, so coolant was flowing through the expansion tank like taco bell does to me. So I replace that too for under $5.

This is a fairly easy job to DIY, the only thing you need to worry about is the 32MM wrench to take off the fan on the automatics, other than that, most of the tools are just the 14MM or 16MM sockets and some torx screws. If you are working on your E46 you should have a torx set, and a metric socket set. I did not do all the hoses though when I did mine as they felt and appear to be in decent condition.

[thermostat] (https://www.amazon.com/Stant-14602-Thermostat-Housing-Fahrenheit/dp/B000C822YM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1487609776&vehicle=2003-31-176-20--1-6-6-7308-171-1-1---1-0&sr=1-1&ymm=2003%3Abmw%3A325xi)

[expansion tank thermostat that sits on bottom of expansion tank] (https://www.amazon.com/B7583-17111437362-Cooler-Thermostat-Housing/dp/B00BOIVI76/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00BOIVI76&pd_rd_r=WV5225HSC9FA4W0BJ1FB&pd_rd_w=uAVgO&pd_rd_wg=nUSHN&psc=1&refRID=WV5225HSC9FA4W0BJ1FB)

[expansion tank] (https://www.amazon.com/Radiator-Coolant-Reservoir-Expansion-Quality/dp/B008564ZQG/ref=pd_bxgy_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9S8V0595SD0VV6X1BPVX)

[water pump with metal impeller] (https://www.amazon.com/URO-Parts-11-527-799/dp/B0066TLWGU/ref=pd_sim_263_21?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S1N6T6G260SVYS2YNMY1)

[32mm wrench for fan] (https://www.amazon.com/Clutch-Wrench-Water-Holder-Removal/dp/B017VLLQ6M/ref=pd_bxgy_263_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=513EA9TG3QARCWSMJ554)

So for ~$150-$160 you can re-do the cooling system, if you want to do hoses as well, you are looking at another $50-$75

Based on the shape of the part it doesn't look that bad: http://www.amazon.com/Beck-Arnley-143-0860-Thermostat/dp/B007RWR6H4/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1418772022&vehicle=2009-73-987-20--1-6-6-9110-2674-1-1-2923--9-0&sr=1-2&ymm=2009%3Aaudi%3Aa4+quattro

Is it any tougher to replace than the vacuum hose under the head on an '05 A4?

ACDelco 131-180 GM Original Equipment 217 Degrees Engine Coolant Thermostat with Water Inlet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004JBCGF8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_j928AbEP4H593 This was for my '13 with the 1.4 engine

This car is new to me and @145k miles. I have no clue when the belt was done last, which is why I'm doing it now.

I was actually just trying to find the difference between the Aisin TKF-001 and Aisin TKF-006. It looks like the difference is the water pump?

I'll get a Genuine Subaru thermostat. It's weird that Amazon says this won't fit my vehicle either.

Chinese brand

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-GM-24507875-Thermostat-Bypass/dp/B00GV87W10

Here are a few links that might give you some ideas:

http://www.ledclocks.com/controllers/DSD2DifferThermostat.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ZP92IO/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GQWY9HM

Edit: I can't vouch for any of these products because I haven't used any of them, but they seem to be at least in the ballpark of what you're looking for(?)

The thermostat itself is cheap (unless I'm mistaken).

We replaced ours with one of these from Amazon. The old one had rusted in the back and was sticking, keeping the furnace from kicking off and on properly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00204WWGE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

This is what we replaced.

https://www.amazon.com/Suburban-161154-Wall-Thermostat-White/dp/B003G9DD8S/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=rv+thermostat&qid=1573071749&sr=8-5

​

I cannot comment on how difficult it was to change it out. I didn't do it, I just did the online shopping for the new one.

Bad idea based on my research the Gates stuff is sub par. I used Amazon to search the OEM subaru part numbers and was able to put together the entire kit of OE parts minus the water pump and gasket. Bought those two items from dealer. Still only ended up in for 600 bucks I think. Radiator, thermostat, all gaskets, all hoses, belt, tensioner, idlers, water pump, etc.... everything OE Subaru. Did the job myself. Runs like a top with 225k miles now still. The Amazon seller is SubaruPartsOnline if you want to compare. I know the water pump and gasket especially I was told by people who know that the Gates stuff is China junk. The OE pump and metal gasket is what will last.

[Timing Kit](Genuine OEM Subaru Timing Belt & TENSIONER KIT Forester Impreza SOHC 2.5 1999-2005 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HP5F700/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ZTxRBbWGRSHVG)

[Thermostat Kit](Genuine Subaru Thermostat & Gasket Kit 21200AA072 21236AA010 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DWG0XXM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KVxRBbQ6VH4XC)