Thermostats, I don't understand!

[granit_silber]

Before I begin, let me say that I am a newbie. I have never made a car repair in my life, i don't even know where my oil filter is in this car! So I really need your help.

My 92 525ia is overcooling. So I have to replace the thermostat.
In looking on the web, it seems that the procedure is pretty simple.

So I went to BMA and found the stat that fit my engine.
What's the difference between a 95 degree, 90 degree, and a 78 degree stat? Which one should I buy? Do I just buy the stat or do I need other stuff?

I live in North Carolina, in a region that sees 3-4 snows a year and highs in the summer reach the 90's.

Thanks Guys!
-ashley

[glen-sj]

I have the same car. The oem thermostat is 88 C deg. The oil filter canister is next to the thermostat housing.

[granit_silber]

I have the same car. The oem thermostat is 88 C deg. The oil filter canister is next to the thermostat housing.

Any preference on brand? BMA has a Behr and a Vernet (for almost $8 less)
-ashley

[Derek A.]

Don't skimp on BMW M50 cooling system parts. Talk to BMA about a aluminum housing. The plastic units crack after a while ane leak. You will should get an o ring with the thermostat, you will also need what is called a profile gasket.

[winfred]

id spring for the behr and if you have a plastic thermostat housing id replace it with a aluiminum one while you are there (the plastic one is prone to cracking) one way to help the coolent refilling process go smoothly is to drill about a 1/16" hole where the arrow thats supposed to point up is on the new thermostat, this kills the air bubble that collects in the block and allows it to fill with coolent with little to no trouble

Any preference on brand? BMA has a Behr and a Vernet (for almost $8 less)
-ashley

[andyman32]

... drill about a 1/16" hole where the arrow thats supposed to point up is on the new thermostat, this kills the air bubble that collects in the block and allows it to fill with coolent with little to no trouble

Then what do you plug it with, winfred?

Yeah, get a new aluminum housing from BMA. Mine leaked like a son-of-a-gun when I changed it a few months ago, and I had even scraped the surface clean and washed it.

From where in NC do you hail, Ashley? There are a number of board regulars (of which I am one!) in the Raleigh area, and one (that I know of) in Asheville.

[winfred]

nothing, that size hole does not interfear with the oporation of the thermostat and all but eliminates the need to bleed on all of the motors i work on (you still need to burp the m30 at it's screw as that's the high point in the system) i've gotten a few head gasket jobs from people trying to bleed their cooling system and roasting the head, i can completely fill a cold m50 motor e34 or e36 start it and not need to add a drop after it's warmed up, with having a air hole in the thermostat and squeezing the hoses m20/30s still trap a little air in the head and need to be topped up after running a few minutes

Then what do you plug it with, winfred?.

[granit_silber]

Then what do you plug it with, winfred?

Yeah, get a new aluminum housing from BMA. Mine leaked like a son-of-a-gun when I changed it a few months ago, and I had even scraped the surface clean and washed it.

From where in NC do you hail, Ashley? There are a number of board regulars (of which I am one!) in the Raleigh area, and one (that I know of) in Asheville.

I live in Winston-Salem. Used to live in A'ville
-ashley

[winfred]

i grew up in ws 20 odd years ago 448 corona st 27103

I live in Winston-Salem. Used to live in A'ville
-ashley

[granit_silber]

i grew up in ws 20 odd years ago 448 corona st 27103

My wife and I live not too far from there. Across Silias Creek Parkway from the Ardmore area. Our little development used to be a cattle farm just outside city limits.
-ashley