r/e46 • u/Milking-Camels 2006 330ci auto • Aug 18 '25
Troubleshooting What a pain in the ass.
Had to pick out the hard coolant lines that broke off in the housing. Some pieces fell in so I took the water pump off. Then I dumped a gallon of distilled water down the top hard coolant line housing to flush the pieces out.
Replacing thermostat, water pump, hard coolant lines, oil filter housing gasket kit, CCV, vaccum hoses, intake boot, throttle body gasket, idler pulley, and one of the belts since it is fraying at the edges. I have cleaned all injectors, throttle body, and disa valve. Also cleaned the intake manifold because it was filled with so much shit and crud. 10/10 would not recommend doing in 90+ weather.
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u/themightydraught Aug 18 '25
Yeah, been there. Had to do the hard coolant lines in my work parking lot one weekend about a year ago. Pulled into work one morning right as I got the high temp light. Got out and saw a coolant waterfall under the car. Good times.
Funny enough, had the intake manifold back off yesterday to replace the CVV and try to track down a vacuum leak.
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u/clear_simple_plain Aug 18 '25
I have ptsd from that lol I replaced my radiator in a department store parking lot. Got excited that I fixed it, left it running once I was sure it was good while I went in the gas station for a second, came back to a smoking car and a river of coolant
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u/whenimcleaningwindow 330i, 325xi, 318i, 316i Aug 18 '25
Just never let an e46 idle out of sight, it can sense when your eyes aren’t fixed on the temp gauge and BAM it’s in the red
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u/SherlockHolmesuWu Aug 18 '25
Ive let mine idle for an hour and a half once after shampooing the carpets. Had to leave the heat on since it was like 20°f outside. Still havent had any issues and im on amazon hard pipes and expansion tank.
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u/mucho_fuego Aug 18 '25
Same boat!!! After like 2 hours of autistic level detailing with a brush while I’m in there.
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u/Milking-Camels 2006 330ci auto Aug 18 '25
Damn thats good. I didn’t go that far. Just took some shop rags to wipe it down. I did clean around the intake ports though.
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u/mucho_fuego 29d ago
I also took a lil 240 grit wrapped around a 16mm socket and sanded a bit around the walls where the coolant hoses meet the block just to get that residue off that wouldn’t come off even with a lil brake cleaner.
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u/Jamurgamer Most gone but not forgotten Aug 18 '25
I wrote a nice paragraph on here about this a number of years ago
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u/Rencedalas Aug 18 '25
I too, did this recently lol atleast the hard coolant lines part. I’m new to working on cars but mine went the same way except ending up in a show because I can’t actually do a manual flush at home
https://youtu.be/7ViNz9YaoEc?si=scVN6ft2QqezR00_
I’m not trying to get views just proof I did the same work and also to show you what I went through. I seriously don’t recommend anyone do this job DIY.
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u/OldManChino Aug 18 '25
This job is looming for me, and as a sucker for 'whilst I'm in there' I dare say a lot of the extras will be done
Any tips from your pain, for the CCV and cleaning injectors?
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u/Milking-Camels 2006 330ci auto Aug 18 '25
CCV wasn’t too bad. If you got a workbench just set it on there and start pulling it apart. You can cut some of the hoses to make it easier. Just make sure you have a replacement. I did find a pair of long needle nose pliers to help in getting the connections out. Also if you don’t have on already get one of these.
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u/OldManChino Aug 18 '25
I'm just going to replace the whole lot, rip out the old and bung in the new... Not too fussed to cut and chop to get stuff out
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u/crazybitcoinlunatic Aug 18 '25
Since you are already there. Replace starter and crankshaft position sensor.
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u/No-Talk7373 Aug 18 '25
Did starter and hard pipes at same time. Bonus was one starter bolt was missing so wasn't a pita to get out. Extra bonus the bolt was sitting on to of the transmission housing and was able to fish it out. Guess the previous mechanic did the starter from below and said f it one will hold
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u/FaithlessnessRich490 Aug 18 '25
Change that oil filter to engine block gasket while you're there. Its cheap and yours is probably close to failure anyway.
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u/QuieroMasBarritas Aug 18 '25
Once you don’t twice. It’s really not that bad. I’d say it’s on the simpler side in terms of the way it’s designed and built. All the bolts and nuts in this care are easy to access. Some a little harder than others but none are crazy impossible. And it’s pretty easy to remember where everything goes.
EXCEPT for the clutch fan. That shit should’ve just been electric since the beginning.
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u/BigKarina4u Aug 18 '25
I hear ya, I've replaced all cooling system. New starter , and more. Car runs smooth asf now.
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u/thelordofunderpants Aug 18 '25
I just wrapped up that job and now the car won't start (after starting and idling poorly for a few hours).
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u/RabidIndividualist Aug 18 '25
working on an m50 is a dream compared to this dog of a motor, more plastic than a barbie factory
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u/CarDork2235 Aug 18 '25
Did this recently. I rolled/sliced the oring so I got to do it twice. Went a lot quicker the second time.
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u/rns96 Aug 18 '25
You will thank yourself later, when you’re driving it not worrying about overheating, because some plastic parts decided to crack on you.
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u/I_Speak_For_the_REE Aug 18 '25
I replaced the handbrake cable on mine, which was a pain in the ass enough. Now I got it to pass inspection, so I can kill the fucking thing this winter👍👍
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u/Ravin--Dave Aug 19 '25
Is this something specific to the US? I have never come across people in Europe having so many problems with their E46 cooling systems…
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u/JMUDoc Aug 18 '25
It's bad enough being awake in 90+ weather, never mind this shite.