what thermostat for 325

[glenbat]

Going to be doing a coolant change on my 325 but theres 2 types listed with GSF is there a way of telling one from another as I cant go by age because my cars had a donor engine fitted
Best to get the gasket and O ring and do those as well right?

[BMW_YARD]

Like for like is the best bet, if you're having no temp problems.

Best get the seals at the same time, and check the blead screw on th ehousing is free beofre you need to use it, grip it in a vise jaw and turn the housing.

[glenbat]

Yeah am going to get the seal/O ring and also the gasket but looking on GSF they list 2 different thermostats for 325 one pre '85 (I think) and the other post '85 I was wondering if theres a way of telling what ones on my car as its a replacement engine. Are there any visable differences?

[glenbat]

bump anyone? placing an order with GSF tomorrow and they specify 2 thermostats for the 325, an '80' and an '80C'? Ones pre Aug '85 the other is post Aug '85 is there a visable way of telling what one to order?

[StuBeeDoo]

80C will mean it's an 80 degree 'stat, as will the 80. So in this case, it doesn't help.
According to ETK, they changed in 09/85. Did you see the car the engine came out of? Only reason I ask it that ETK says that there weren't any RHD 325i's built before 08/86 - so unless the car was LHD, I'd go for the later 'stat.
Sorry can't be more help than that.

[glenbat]

Thanks mate, but ETK?

[Brianmoooore]

ETK = Electronic parts catalogue, as used by your BMW dealer, and readily available on ebay.
Also available as realOEM (see sticky at top of 'tech help'.

[glenbat]

Having just removed the thermostat cover theres sod all inside!!

Looking at this: http://bmwfans.info/original/E30/Cab/32 ... l-11_0759/

Items 5 and 6 are missing! So I'll order a new thermostat and O ring, whats the gasket everyone says about replacing as well? Item 4 on the diagram? I've not removed the main housing do i need to, at present all I've got off is the cover

[StuBeeDoo]

That's right. If you've only taken the cover off all you'll need is the new 'stat and o-ring.

[Brianmoooore]

Having just removed the thermostat cover theres sod all inside!!

Not unusual! There are some complete idiots around.
Extra fuel consumption would have cost the previous owner umpteen times more than a new stat would have cost.
Drove my latest touring (number home 200 miles yesterday and had to thrash it all the way to get the temp gauge out of the blue.
Suspect I'll find the same thing!

[glenbat]

Cheers Brainmoooooore
Its the opposite with me, I let her warm up a few days ago on tickover on the drive and the temp gauge took a while to get out the blue, then within a couple of mins was close to the red I turned her straight off and hence me checking the stat only to find it missing!
Are stats removed to hide any probs like overheating etc? just wondered why it was missing

[Brianmoooore]

Missing stat will alter the water flow inside the head and cause local overheating, so not good.
I suspect you have a dud viscous fan coupling, which will cause overheating when still or in traffic, and a previous muppet removed the stat in a misguided attempt to cure this!