I think I saw one thread recently complaining about Wahler, but that would seem to be an outlier. I think they're the one to go with.

 

I think I saw one thread recently complaining about Wahler, but that would seem to be an outlier.
I think they're the one to go with.

That was me. The first one I got threw a code for the sensor on it that heats up the thermostat. I bought another and had no issues. Must have just gotten the random bad part as the reviews on FCP are very high for the Wahler thermostat.

 

I've had really good luck with graf pumps in minis and bmws, but saleri is what i understand to be the best!

BMW Water Pump - Saleri PA659S

BMW Water Pump - Saleri PA659S

www.fcpeuro.com

edit* I agree with VpointVick too, used Wahler parts many times before and they always seemed very high quality.

 

Saleri for water pumps, yes.
We've seen some troubles with Graf here.

 

I am currently running and comforable with : Saleri pump, Wahler T-stat, OE expansion tank and hard lines, Rein hoses (including heater hoses, which were Rein but had the BMW logo dremeled off), OE radiator (thanks to the PO. I would replace it with a Nissens when the time comes)

 

The Wahler t-stats will start weeping coolant around the heating element after about 4-5 years, or 50-60k miles, in my experience. Certainly not the end of the world, just an observation. I went back to OE last time around because it was convenient, as much as anything.

 

Thanks for everyone’s input. I’m gonna take my chances on the Wahler, but I did split the difference, so to speak, and order a Genuine gasket as I’ve read some people had weeping right off the bat. I’ll compare the two gaskets and see if they differ. Ordered from FCP, of course.

 

I put in a Wahler thermostat with a little Permatex Water Pump and Thermostat RTV Silicone Gasket on there. So far, there are no leaks.

 

My Wahler T-stat has been slowly leaking fluid for 4 years and also soft failing a month or so after installation. However I drove almost 100 000kms on it and besides those 2 problems it worked as it should. The soft failing problem occures on the highway when rpms are high and engine is under load - coolant temperature drops a lot.

 

The soft failing problem occures on the highway when rpms are high and engine is under load - coolant temperature drops a lot.

This may be the normal map thermostat behavior where DME commands it to open more at higher temperature and load.

 

I've used Wahler Thermostats many times... FCP has them listed as still made in Germany... I thought they were the orig equip manufacturer, but not certain of this.

I do see the other experiences people have posted here and have made a mental note that quality may be declining (as it is with all E46 parts), but I would install a Wahler t-stat again.

 

I've used Wahler Thermostats many times... FCP has them listed as still made in Germany... I thought they were the orig equip manufacturer, but not certain of this.

I do see the other experiences people have posted here and have made a mental note that quality may be declining (as it is with all E46 parts), but I would install a Wahler t-stat again.

I just went out to check the thermostat that threw the error on me and confirmed that the Whaler (BorgWarner in the US) is made in Germany. According to FCP Euro, this is the OE manufacturer of the BMW thermostat.

The specific code I got on the Foxwell scanner in the background of the photo was 279C DME: Thermostat, map cooling: activation.

 

The map thermostat schematic shows some of the internal DME circuitry.

BMW WDS Online

bmw wds online for all browsers

bmwteka.com

DME monitors heater current facilitated by a voltage drop resistor. It knows when the heater circuit is functioning correctly or not.

 

My multimeter is dead, put it away on. I need to purchase AAA batteries and will test. 🤦‍♂️

 

Borrow it from your TV remote 😆

 

The common issue with the Wahler leaking through the heating element can be sorted before being put on the car.

Wahler Thermostat Teardown and Improvement Mod

The Wahler brand thermostat is a very popular replacement part for those of us who experience lower operating temperatures or leaks. Unfortunately, the Wahler thermostat has a weakness of its own. I have had two Wahler thermostats leak from the same area. That is the heating element interface...

www.e46fanatics.com

Just needs some RTV around the original o-rings and it’ll hold fine for many years.

 

My last one I tried changing out the o-ring to prevent it from leaking and it still leaked. I shouldn't need to disassemble and modify a new part to make it last, IMO.

 

I too have had less than stellar results with recent Wahler- and yes, made in Germany and everything.
I find that the one in the car now tends to stick- sometimes high, sometimes low. Never dangerously,
but for a while, it had the car running at 88c, and then the next week, 102c. Whenever I used
the thermostat heater, it'd trend low for a while- but then inexplicably creep up. And sometimes
as high as 110c, for a while, before drifting back down.
And then it'd be fine for a week, or 2 or even 3.

My THEORY is that there is some air in the wax chamber, but who knows?

The Behr (NOT Hella/ Behr/China) it replaced held the car at 96c+-2 unless I used the thermostat heater.

And I have a Graf pump somewhere in the barn with the metal spot- welded ring detached from the impeller.

t

 

Forget the temperature gauge needle position, as it is not accurate. Record the actual coolant temperatures in a log.

 

...or do the 'buffer delete' reprogramming noted elswhere in this board. The gauge has the ability to be quite accurate, if it's programmed to be.

A few runs with the diagnostic menu open, and you'll get a pretty good idea of what temperature the gauge is displaying.

But as shipped, the temperature needle is pointless... (sorry)

heh

t

 

The gauge has the ability to be quite accurate, if it's programmed to be.

Meh, I disagree. It only has six positions to cover a span of around 100 C. I would be happier with at least 10 gradations.
I ignore it and just run live OBD data on the phone or iPad. Real temps for real men! Heh

 

Meh, I disagree. It only has six positions to cover a span of around 100 C

Hmmm- do you mean motor steps for the needle motor?
I stuffed in the 'linear' code when I recoded, and mine seems to have a pretty fine resolution at 96c-
as in, by the time it's to 100, the needle's half- way to the right- of- center mark.

I guess I never worried TOO much about it, as with a 1.4 bar cap and coolant, the panic point's
over 110c. Which is well past that 'getting warm' line.

So yeah, ok, I guess it's not degree accurate. But I'm not degree- paniced either. Now, the
'low coolant' light will make me pee my panties, that's for sure!
which is a problem if I need to top up the expansion tank, as now I'm out of refill...

ewwwwww

t

 

do you mean motor steps for the needle motor?

Yes, the coolant temperature gauge needle only has six positions. They could have easily given it infinite variability, like other gauges such as speedometer, RPM, etc.

 

It's a step motor-driven, so definitely not infinite, but also not six positions only.
I think Bali was referring to the number of buffer zones in the cluster memory.
However, between these zones the needle does go through a sufficient number of steps to be useful.

 

The cluster software only stores six needle positions. They could have easily made it 10 or 20.

 

It interpolates the position from the stored 6, so it is infinitely variable. You don't really need more

 

A couple of other available E46 BMW Thermostats

Turner mechanical thermostat with a second bleed screw- eliminates the ECU thermostat control and allows use of more thermostat temp settings with available standard thermostats.
(also requires different coolant hoses)

008785LA01T - Mechanical Thermostat Conversion - M52TU/M54 | Turner Motorsport

BAV Aluminum thermostat housing-

11531437040 - Bav Auto Thermostat With Aluminum Housing - M52TU M54 | Turner Motorsport

Zionsville AutoSport M52/M54
Uses standard BMW coolant hoses but a more standard type thermostat


BMW M54 Competition Thermostat Plate Kit – Zionsville Autosport

 

I bought the $30 Spectre 'aluminum' version from RockAuto-

what could go wrong?

Turner's retail side got ECS'd- I do wonder who's doing their parts manufacture now?

t

 

Turner…….I do wonder who's doing their parts manufacture now?

I dunno. Someone on the inside or nearby in NH might know.
I suspect no actual manufacturing, just some contract stuff.
Parent company Bertram Capital is a Bay Area PE firm.

Home | Bertram Capital

www.bertramcapital.com

Only information I found, and it’s old.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-about

ECS Tuning Announces Acquisition of Turner Motorsport

/PRNewswire/ -- ECS Tuning, LLC ("ECS"), a leading global engineering and ecommerce retailer of European automotive performance parts and accessories,...

www.prnewswire.com

 

I have an acquaintance who used to work for Turner and was tire engineer for the race team, but he's unlikely to have any insight as he was let go shortly after the acquisition.

 

@VpointVick Maybe he still keeps in touch with former coworkers? Might be worth a shot, for fun’s sake.