Thermostat replacement, coolant system flush, BMW 318i, E36 - VOTD

Thermostat replacement: 30 to 60 minutes ($55 / $175 / $285)
In this video I replaced the thermostat assembly on a 1996 BMW 318i. It can be done in 20 minutes, however, if you need to flush the coolant system the job can turn into 3 or 4 hours real quick.

[@codyellington8238]

That is the cleanest engine I have ever seen in an E36.

[@RobertDIY]

Desert living. 🧐

[@dakotag6173]

I watched the video and appreciated how it was very easy to hear and clear.im a mechanic but have never touched a beamer.im also hammered right now but I'm fairly confident since I watched this video I can work on my buddy's beamer in the morning without any problems

[@RobertDIY]

LOL Thanks for watching.

[@jeremyhollenbeck6910]

Thanx for the video. Your the only one who has posted a video on flushing an e36. I have a 318is and this was exactly what I was looking for. Very easy, clear, simple to follow instructions. I wish they were all like that. Often times I'm left with more questions than answers. Thanx again. I am subscribing.

[@RobertDIY]

Jeremy Hollenbeck Thanks. I try to make them so you don't have questions. That makes for long videos but most people appreciate it.

[@markosmith8037]

great video - well done and thanks for posting 🙂

[@RobertDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Very clean E36! Nice job.

[@RobertDIY]

Thanks.

[@mds2465]

Any job always takes longer than expected on a BMW

[@李文涵-o6l]

i have 318icar ，you change very good

[@RobertDIY]

Thanks for watching.

[@neonzion7]

extremely clean e36, im impressed

[@RobertDIY]

+Dominick Chavez Thanks.

[@kgreersf]

Deserves more "likes!" Thanks, dawg. Appreciate you. 👊 😎

[@RobertDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@sealde619]

I will take your advise this weekend.

[@RobertDIY]

+Sealde thanks for watching.

[@wza360]

I usually drain coolant from engine block (screw somewhere under exhaust manifold, don't remember exactly, but it's close to a sensor and visible from under the engine), so I don't need to repeat the flush so many times. I believe, if coolant/water is drained from engine block, 1 time flush with distilled water would do it. Correct me if I am wrong.

[@RobertDIY]

Well, there is still coolant in the heating system but yes, you are right.

[@wza360]

Robert DIY I have to say I was wrong. Actually, even by draining coolant from engine block, I still was able to see colour of coolant after flushing system 2 times. So I have filled it in with distilled water for the third time. Every time I drive car for few days, as I simply have time to do that, so it goes through all the system and heater well. I will drain for the third time in few days and then will fill it with BMW specified coolant.

[@bobvansand6346]

Great, have a 36 flushed....but didnt open the warm air temp..., so guess air was trapped...levels kept dropping along the rides i did....but temp kept being straight in the middle section, vertical! That was safe....i keep checking till stable.....ok? Thanks again! Bob the Belgian

[@RobertDIY]

+Bob Van sand Yes. Thanks for watching.

[@masscomnet]

Nicely done!

[@RobertDIY]

+masscomnet Thanks, and thanks for watching.

[@Schnitz808]

thank you robert :)

[@RobertDIY]

Welcome!

[@shorn77777]

nice video i enjoyed, thanks for posting this for us.

[@RobertDIY]

+sharon mathew thank you for watching.

[@VNNZTC]

Good video Robert...thank you...

[@RobertDIY]

+Eric the Viking you are welcome.

[@VictorGarcia-gy8yv]

Hi Robert, first of all great video. I have an e36 318i and my problem is that it keeps draining the overflow tank (took like a liter) after filling it up 2 times, but it never overheats and I can´t find any leak either (I think headgasket is alright too). Do you know any idea of what could it be? Thanks

[@RobertDIY]

not really. it's going somewhere and if you can't find it, take it to a shop before you destroy the engine.

[@gerryreggea]

thanks for your video, one question though..what is the difference between using normal tap water and distilled water?

[@RobertDIY]

Tap water has lots of chemicals in it that is harmful to the inside of the engine.

[@gerryreggea]

thanks man..thumbs up

[@AndyNavar07]

Question I have did you put in a new thermo or running it without it?

[@RobertDIY]

Huh? You shouldn't run the engine without the thermostat.

[@toranaga1969]

Robert,There is nothing wrong with that Chicago Bears License plate. Better bears than Bengals.

[@RobertDIY]

John Strong LOL, Steelers man!!!

[@alanduenas2872]

Thanks for the video I have a question, my Z3 1997 had de same motor, recently i change the radiator and this overheating and i see no have Thermostat, if my car no have Thermostat it can overheat? Thanks

[@RobertDIY]

Yes

[@RobertDIY]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKXHmpl3p7iIabM

[@bobvansand6346]

Should the expansion be nearly full?

[@911TechDeck]

Robert, i have an E36 316i its acold winter right now in LIthuania and when the car heats up to the normal temperature it slowly starts to blow warm ait on the inside, but when i drive it for a bit it randomly starts to blow cold air again, i checked the coolant tank and its quite low, so i bought some more, but the weird thing is that the coolant's colour is dark and i dont know what to do, should i first fill it up and give it a test if the heater will blow hot air or not? and if so, how much litres should i pour inside? it doesnt have the "max" gradius on the side

[@RobertDIY]

+911TechDeck Have the coolant tested. When was it last replaced?

[@911TechDeck]

I dont actually know, but now i kept my car in my garage for the night and today the heater worked perfectly... I dont know whats up, maybe the engine cant heat up from all the cold wind outside?

[@RobertDIY]

+911TechDeck Nope.

[@RobertDIY]

+911TechDeck Maybe you should stage 0 it. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn6QiJecrLCbkLM

[@johnferguson7235]

+911TechDeck Try replacing the thermostat. If it sticks closed, it will not allow hot water to flow through the heater core. The dark radiator fluid is a bit scary. You could have a head gasket leak if you are losing coolant but can't find a leak.

[@mds2465]

On those, more often than not it's a bad radiator that does that.

[@RobertDIY]

Michael Sackstein Really?

[@mds2465]

Yeah they often crack or they corrode inside to the point where they can no longer dissipate heat

[@paulsxr]

how u going mate i just changed radiator in my e36 318 i filled it with coolent and bled it problem i have is coolent is comming into the expansion bottle by the heater hose under the bottle and no coolent out the top hose is dry any help would be nice thanks

[@RobertDIY]

Could be a lot of things. When was the last time the car was driven?

[@paulsxr]

Hi Robert drove it last Friday it over heated on me took out theomaste I put in a brand new one new pump and radiator bleed it and now coolent going in top hose fills up expansion bottle from heater hose

[@RobertDIY]

Probably blew the head. Have you done a compression test or bleed down test?

[@paulsxr]

+Paul Georgandas no mate I take it to the machanic when I get home from work this afternoon thanks

[@samo.j1742]

Thank you

[@RobertDIY]

You are welcome.

[@victorkmarshall]

Go Steelers!!!

[@RobertDIY]

Woot Woot!

[@MadOliveGaming]

I've just bought a 1994 320i. It didnt come with service history so im gonna fully drain and refill oil, coolant and also the windshield cleaner fluid (idk if thats the correct english term lol). I have never fully drained coolant before, how long do i need to burp the system assuming i have that tab at the passengers side open? I definitely dont want bubbles in the system. Luckily my nephew works at a car dealer so i can use their garage and proabably also tools in the weekend :D

[@RobertDIY]

+MadOliveGaming Until the level stabilizes.

[@johnferguson7235]

+MadOliveGaming One of the best things you can do your BMW is to drain and flush the transmission and replace the differential oil. Check the timing belt because people frequently don't replace the belt on schedule. You can ask a professional mechanic to check it. Definitely install a new thermostat. Make sure that you use the correct coolant. BMW require a low phosphate coolant that is special because it has ingredients to protect the water pump and the seals.

[@MadOliveGaming]

John Ferguson some dumb ass woman drove right into it when it was parked D: its a massive dent... fucking insurrance wont cover it all... now i had to sell it :/ still the clio rs i have now drives good.. but dat red leather 320 though fml

[@johnferguson7235]

MadOliveGaming My 320i blew an engine oil seal and caught fire. I stick with Acura because they have much less maintenance.

[@MadOliveGaming]

John Ferguson still liked mine though...

[@becomematrix]

Thanks

[@RobertDIY]

+Captain Crook you are welcome.

[@RegulineSix]

Nice to hear a joke from you Robert.

[@RobertDIY]

Luc Carlson I couldn't resist.

[@alpacheco3118]

Didn't show how to remove the thermostat while the engine is in the car. Anyone can take it off when the engine is out of the car

[@Hole_Motorsports]

Procedures are the same just need to remove the fan

[@mikalayamasaki00]

was this vehicle overheating

[@RobertDIY]

+Mikala Yamasaki (HachiMods) no. Preventive maintenance.

[@mikalayamasaki00]

+Robert DIY okay, cause im thinking about getting a 95 318ti, but the owner said it overheats, caue the thermostat...im thinking its the water pump. what are your thoughts, thanks

[@RobertDIY]

I have no idea without troubleshooting. Have you replaced the thermostat?

[@mikalayamasaki00]

+Robert DIY no, im contiplating on getting it.

[@RobertDIY]

OK, guessing isn't a good method of troubleshooting.

[@wishingwolf7084]

5 Chicago Bears fans took offense to what the narrator said and disliked the video,

[@RobertDIY]

+Wishing Wolf that's ok.

[@zx8401ztv]

Hmm that system did sound a bit goooed up, never a good thing :-( Should be cooler than huggy bear now :D

[@RobertDIY]

zx8401ztv LOL, I try to stay away from bears.

[@zx8401ztv]

Robert DIY lol it was a reference to a cool dude in starsky and hutch, the original tv show lol :-) Please dont tell me you didnt watch early american tv, disgusting lol :D

[@RobertDIY]

Wow! I would have never figured that out. He was a cool dude. LOL

[@zx8401ztv]

Robert DIY You mickey taker ha ha :D :D, LOL