1998 2.8 Z3 Heating problems

[Agent B]

My recently purchased Z has been acting up a little, on extremely cold mornings the engine takes forever to warm up and may never blow warm air, or if it does blow warm air cool the engine to the point where it no longer does. Sounds like a bad thermostat to me, anyone else have experience with this?

 

[Aceman]

Very common problem with all the 6cyl engines, you are correct with your own diagnosis with the thermostat being goosed. Fortunatly they are not too difficult to replace. What happens is that a plastic retaining clip breaks dislodging the actual thermostat disc from its mounting and invariably sticks in the open position so the engine will never reach normal operating temperature.

Whilst you are at it you might as well replace the water pump because if it is the original one they too are a known failure and far more expensive a repair if it fails as it invariably takes other stuff out with it as well. Also if you are draining the system down a complete fluid change would be good too. Just make sure the replacement pump is the metal impeller type and you will be good for a few years to come.

 

[GazHyde]

Yes, change the water pump while your at it... Mine failed yesterday

The best replacements are made by Stewart and have metal impeller blades and more robust bearings. A bit more expensive, but if your going to keep the car for a while well worth it!

 

[Woody100]

Gary, just been googling Stewart water pumps (I'm sad I know!) do you know of any UK suppliers ? Or can you only get from the US ?


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[GazHyde]

Gary, just been googling Stewart water pumps (I'm sad I know!) do you know of any UK suppliers ? Or can you only get from the US ?

Not look in to a replacement as yet, so no idea where to get one from. There seems to be a seller on eBay that does them, but doesn't list any Z3 ones. Might be worth contacting them and see if they can get them...

 

[Woody100]

Can't find a uk supplier and reading a few posts they seem to be a little over priced compared to the HEPU pumps that are made in Germany. If your looking at keeping the car like I intend too and I would look at replacing the water pump every 80,000 miles anyway as part of the cooling system overall so for me I think the HEPU pump is probably good enough.


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