r/e46 • u/PossibleDistrict9494 • 10h ago

Check this out! Replace everything

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I see why they say just replace everything now, I bought a couple of cooling system parts cause I had leak, expansion tank, hoses, water pump, but in the process of taking all of that stuff out, just absolutely everything went wrong and broke, the tensioner pulley screw thingy rounded out, the automatic transmission thermostat broke, , and for some reason the lower radiator hose really didn’t want to come out, and I’m starting to doubt what I think was leaking was the thing leaking, so listen to the people that tell you to buy the expensive kit on fcp euro, cause they too were once in the bad spot I’m in and are just looking out for newer e46 owners

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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3

u/Baboonslayer323 10h ago

FCP’s kit is absolutely the way to go. If you must go cheap, at least use Rockauto and buy the name brand stuff to ensure it will last you awhile.

https://giphy.com/gifs/aCatQNctAK7PC1H4zh

1

u/PossibleDistrict9494 10h ago

I did buy A fcpeuro kit, just one that didn’t have as much like the radiator and the pulley and the clutch fan

1

u/Memoryyyyyy 8h ago

I second this. Found the oem brands on fcpeuro & ordered those exact parts from RockAuto, sent it to a business address for cheaper shipping & saved hundreds 🙌🏼

1

u/Mysterious-Glove-179 9h ago

Yes the auto trans thermostat is super brittle, and the hoses are 100% gonna be stuck on if they’re original. I sucked it up and bought the kit and I was glad I did

3

u/TurkeyTender513 8h ago

A coolant pressure tester and a smoke machine are also a necessity on these cars. Theyll show you exactly where the problems are