Wahler thermostats = crap?

[Reck]

Hey all.. Further to my overheating issues. Just a recap; replaced all hoses, new radiator, new thermostat and bled a thousand times. It was still going over by maybe 5 or 10 degrees but I could live with that. Now I've noticed it approaching three quarters on the temp gauge, just while pottering around town.

The heater/blower still works so I guess my water pump is ok. I'm trying not to think about the head gasket right now!! With the engine hot, the top rad hose is really fooking hot. The lower rad hose is barely even warm (maybe even cold tbh..) I take it this isn't right.. The lower hose should at least be getting warm? Has my thermostat failed already? (After less than three months..) Should I go with a genuine BMW one from the dealership?

Thanks
J

[Reck]

Lower hose is certainly *slightly* warm, but not by much..

[murran]

take it out and suspend it in a kettle, should be fully open before it boils.

[Reck]

Will do tomorrow. need to get some coolant. Do those symptoms point to stat failure?

Also, i can keep the temp down having the heaters on full blast. Thats shit at this time of year though!

[pistonheader]

i had the same symptoms as you, including lower hose cold. new thermostat solved the problem. i've also had new radiator, water pump etc. cooling issues have disappeared.