Fuel cooler thermo valve mount

[David Lawrence]

Ok so the freelander part has arrived and the thermostat certainly looks the same with the same size pipes etc, but the yard is covered with snow so will need to wait for a dry day to fit it.

Here is a picture close up

image.jpg

More importantly for thise others of you in need of one, it comes complete withBMW part code moulded on the side of it

2354117 which a quick search on ebay produces this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E39-E4...-/271447698710

Which at £5 has got to be a cheaper way to go that buying complete coolers. The freelander cooler cost me £20 but hopefully now gives others with the same problem a few options.

[David Lawrence]

Just a bit more searching gives this page

http://www.bmwetk.info/parts-catalog...57/13322354117

Which if you click on item number 3 suggests they are 16 euro from a dealer, presumably plus their sales margins.

Originally Posted by David Lawrence

Ok so the freelander part has arrived and the thermostat certainly looks the same with the same size pipes etc, but the yard is covered with snow so will need to wait for a dry day to fit it.

Here is a picture close up

Attachment 44095

More importantly for thise others of you in need of one, it comes complete withBMW part code moulded on the side of it

2354117 which a quick search on ebay produces this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E39-E4...-/271447698710

Which at £5 has got to be a cheaper way to go that buying complete coolers. The freelander cooler cost me £20 but hopefully now gives others with the same problem a few options.

[David Lawrence]

I can now confirm the freelander/bmw thermostat fits and is the same part as ours. Replaced it today, and the leak is now cured.

Turned out to be a bigger job that i expected. Dropped the cooler down by releasing the 2 mounting bolts.

Orientation of the hose clips meant i needed to release one hose at the radiator.

Used a cobtainer to collect a radiator full of diesel, then released the top hose by squeezing in the plastic release and pulling it out, then the last hose.

The mounting bracket for the thermostat was rusted apart so it just twisted off.

With the thermostat out of the way, i drilled out the remaining parts of the bracket.

I then fabricated a new bracket out of a piece of zintec, found new bolts and washers. The earthing strap had snapped at the radiator end so i made up a new one of those as well then put it all back together, tested, and all fine.

Here is the new part, with new bracket ready to go on

image.jpg

[David Lawrence]

Back on the carimage.jpg

[klarzy]

excellent sir... thank you for your efforts and feedback...

[David Lawrence]

image.jpgThe old one opened up and you find a bimetalic disk behind a grill supplying hot fuel to the cooler, and blosking the hole when cold. All that seals the 2 halves is an o ring trapped between the 2 parts. No obvious sign of damage to anything, so i presume just the 2 halves have relaxed, or pushed apart slightly with age, causing the leak. The rusting of the bracket behind the plastic could have also applied pressure in a way it didnt like as it swelled up.

[klarzy]

Originally Posted by David Lawrence

Attachment 44365The old one opened up and you find a bimetalic disk behind a grill supplying hot fuel to the cooler, and blosking the hole when cold. All that seals the 2 halves is an o ring trapped between the 2 parts. No obvious sign of damage to anything, so i presume just the 2 halves have relaxed, or pushed apart slightly with age, causing the leak. The rusting of the bracket behind the plastic could have also applied pressure in a way it didnt like as it swelled up.

so do you think new O-rings and bolts may help??

[David Lawrence]

Originally Posted by klarzy

so do you think new O-rings and bolts may help??

To be honest i had to saw the clips off to separate the 2 halves. If you had a suitable jig to squeeze them all in at the same time and push them through the holes tyen you might just get it apart. Then you would need to source an o ring of just the right size.

Possibly a new flat bracket and rebolting it down might press the 2 parts together a bit better, but is all a bit tricky, and access is not great.

With freelander and bmw parts being relatively plentiful its probably not worth the trouble.

[Arctic]

Hi David.
Good posts throughout you doing this work as I said at the beginning I was almost sure they are one and the same part, through the hard work you have carried out you have confirmed it and I am sure this is going to help other members in the future as the fuel cooler and its not return valve thermostat vale which ever name it as is in a bad position and can only create trouble, nearly all the fuel coolers I have looked at the earth strap as corroded and detached.

Fixed mine way back with electric connector which was later taped up.

[David Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Arctic

Hi David.
Good posts throughout you doing this work as I said at the beginning I was almost sure they are one and the same part, through the hard work you have carried out you have confirmed it and I am sure this is going to help other members in the future as the fuel cooler and its not return valve thermostat vale which ever name it as is in a bad position and can only create trouble, nearly all the fuel coolers I have looked at the earth strap as corroded and detached.

Fixed mine way back with electric connector which was later taped up.

Hi arctic, it wouldnt have happened without you suggesting it, so thanks for that.

I used stainless bolts this time so will keep an eye on the earth strap as i only had electrical copper wire available. The original appears to have been steel so i may have to reterminate the original and put it back later. I did notice that rimmers list the earth strap separately.

I also plan to make a better bracket to swap over later. I just used what i had to hand as i hadnt expected to need one. If i do that i will make a template for others to follow.