_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted September 11, 2010 hey all! got the car going and its amazing! definately worth every dollar! took the car to work and back on wednesday and thursday, upon arrival at work and then back home (10 min drive), steam comes from the thermostat area. definately steam and not smoke/otherwise, so definately coolant leak. No drips form, and no evidence of leaking on the block. car is not overheating http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=...hg=11&fg=35 im thinking i will replace parts 6 and 8 and see if that fixes the problem, or do people think it could be the thermostat instead/as well? thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antil33t 90 Report post Posted September 11, 2010 isn't the thermostat housing or piping plastic? could have a crack in it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted September 11, 2010 99% sure its metal, ill double check though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark247 39 Report post Posted September 11, 2010 Pretty sure only the old m50 nonvanos thermostat housings are metal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted September 11, 2010 hmm feels like metal but sounds like plastic when you tap it.. maybe one of the dismantelers can shed light on that? going to take it to work today and have a good look around when i get there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted September 11, 2010 (edited) All M52's are black plastic unless its been retro fitted with alloy. If it's plastic...replace it..about $50.... they normaly break when you fit new seals and try to refit them, or they'll crack a few days later, unless it's fairly new. Edited September 11, 2010 by *Glenn* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thorburn 121 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Where can you get the alloy thermostat housings from? Good to hear your car is going. Got any videos? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jono51 59 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 Hey Andy, yours will most likely be plastic, replace it with an alloy housing and install a new thermostat too, Don't drive it if it is still leaking we should have one give me a call Jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted September 12, 2010 (edited) ive tightened up the hoses going on to it and it appears to have stopped but for how long im not sure. will be keeping an eye on it regardless. Definately will replace it with a metal housing. how many kms before a thermostat typically fails?? might be worth doing now as preventative maintenance, everything else has been done lol Where can you get the alloy thermostat housings from? Good to hear your car is going. Got any videos? not yet, picking up my camera tonight from Ian so might get a video tomorrow if one of my flatmates is home to be camerawoman! otherwise static photos will have to suffice for now ha Edited September 12, 2010 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites