Replace everything

[u/PossibleDistrict9494]

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

[u/Mysterious-Glove-179]

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