Thermostat Location

1st Gen Legend · 11-20-12, 10:33 PM

I think I have a slow acting T-Stat or its simply inop. I had an overheat problem the other night while the engine was at an idle. The fans work fine. When I started the car up again I drove it about 2 miles. The upper hose was hot while the lower hose was unusually cool. This is why Im suspecting the T-Stat... Does the T-Stat come off the upper or lower radiator hose? Im having a hard time locating the T-Stat housing.. Anyone have a picture or a diagram that shows the T-Stat location?

TIA

l4zy415 · 11-22-12, 02:24 AM

Follow the lower radiator hose, which you'll need to remove the air box to get to it. But, yes, it does sound like you have a failing T-stat.

1st Gen Legend · 11-22-12, 11:57 PM

swapped in a new thermostat abd a new radiator cap. Car seems to be running very well at this point. Regarding the idle issue, I think maybe the radiator cap was letting letting coolant out into the overflow bottle and dumping coolant. If that was the case, it would suck air into the system which can cause an eratic idle fromwhat Ive been reading. I started the car cold today and drove it around town as well as let it idle for 20-30 minutes and it didnt boil over not did it have the idle issues I had been experiencing. I will turn the car over to my son tomorrow and let him use it as he normally would and report back on the idle issues. I hope I got the idle sorted out once and for all.

l4zy415 · 11-23-12, 12:29 AM

Did you bleed the system also? It's also a good idea to get all the air out of the system, but it sounds like you have done so since the car hasn't overheated. Hopefully your son will have a final result on it.

1st Gen Legend · 11-23-12, 10:50 AM

Yes, I bled the system using the little bleeder valve near the T-stat/hoses area. With the heat on, blower off, I filled the system until the bleeder had coolant flow. Then I let the car run until the T-Stat opened adding more coolant. Finally, I put the new cap on and filled the overflow bottle to the cold line.

Thank you for your assistance on my issues BTW. Im an older guy and have had many cars and trucks, mostly being American made. Im not completely familiar with Japanese brands and their systems. I have had several BMW's though, and learned allot about those during my ownership with them. I had a 1985 635csi, a 01 525i, an 03 745Li and currently have a 98 740il. I also have a 93 Z28 and a 2002 Corvette Z06.

1st Gen Legend · 11-23-12, 10:53 AM

93 Z28

85 635 CSI

98 740il

03 745Li

02 Z06

92 ZR-1

l4zy415 · 11-24-12, 11:17 PM

Wow, you had quite a car collection there. i especially love the 92' ZR1 and 93' Z28.

1st Gen Legend · 11-25-12, 08:54 AM

Thanks man.... thats only a sample of the 75+ cars/trucks Ive owned.