Hi, all. Once the weather warms up around here (i.e., around June :) ), I plan on doing some work on Odelia (my 330ci). The following is a list of things I'm planning:

1. Overhauling cooling system (probably hasn't been done in at least 2 yrs)
2. AC belt replacement (stealer noted it was beginning to crack)
3. Brake pad/rotor replacement (down to 4mm on back brakes)
4. Clutch replacement (hopefully not needed, but planning just in case)

I've been doing a lot of reading in my Bentley book and the posts here, so I think I have a solid understanding of what's involved in each (not to say I have the technical know-how yet) except for the cooling system overhaul. Can anyone tell me what is included in that? Is it just flushing and replacing the coolant and bleeding the system? Or will I be replacing parts as well? Also, on a 1-10 scale (1: a moron could do it; 10: expert level work), how would you rate the effort for overhauling the cooling system? Thanks, all!

If by "overhaul," you mean replace the entire cooling system, then that would include a new water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, expansion tank, and, if you find it necessary, a radiator. As far as level of difficulty, I'd rate it about a 4. It's a bunch of bolts and clips, and it all goes together exactly how it came apart. The most difficult part is the fan clutch (if you don't have a 32mm wrench and a hammer, you'll have a tough time), and bleeding the system when you're done.

If you're going to replace the water pump and the AC belt, you might as well do the alternator belt too. You're going to have it all apart, so why not? When you have the belts off, spin the pulleys. If they spin freely and make any noise, you ought to replace them.

Brakes are cake, you've got nothing to worry about there.

Unless you have a hell of a lot of tools, and a strong back, I'd leave the clutch for the professionals. That's definitely not a job I'd want to do on my back in a garage, and it's also not a job I'd want to screw up.

That's my .02. Hopefully it answered your questions.

kellie you said everything great. nothing else needed to add. haha

Great input! Thanks so much. That's extremely helpful, and I'm glad I got your input about the clutch. I guess my last question would be if you or anyone else has any lessons learned from their experiences that I should note? Any "D'Oh!" moments you can share? Otherwise, thanks again!

I work on these things for a living, and I'm clumsy. I have hundreds of "D'Oh!" moments. Once, my ratchet slipped out of the alternator tensioner bolt and I somehow got my pinky squashed between two pulleys. That hurt.

Anyway, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve. If you ask me, the best way to get the radiator hoses off is by *gently* working them with the tip of a large pry bar. Be careful not to damage the plastic fittings on the radiator. To get them back on, spray the fittings and the inside of the hose with silicone spray, make sure the metal clip is fully seated on the hose, and just push it on until it clicks.

When you take the fan off, get a large 32 or 36 or whatever size it is (I can never remember), and smack the end of it with a hammer. It should come right off. Don't forget it's reverse thread.

The bolt that holds the rotor on can get rusty and stuck in the rotor. Use an impact driver, don't waste time trying to break it loose with the ratchet, you'll just strip it. To get the rotor off, smack it HARD with a big hammer. Use a wire brush to clean the hub, then grease it with anti-seize so the wheel and rotor will be easy to get off next time.

Hmm...that's enough trade secrets for you. You're on your own now. ;)

Really valuable knowledge! Thanks again! I'm printing out this post and putting it with my Bentley book so I can refer back to it when I'm ready to get to work. Cheers!

I'm currently going through the cooling system with my '01 325.. waterpump failed a month ago and expansion tank blew up last Tuesday. I'm still chasing parts that I didn't know I'd have to replace.

Do this: waterpump, thermostat, expansion tank, "transmission thermostat" (only if it's an automatic. It's in the underside of the tank, you see it when you take it off. The cap that holds a big spring in place was broken on mine. A buddy of mine says he replaces that whenever he replaces an expansion tank, since it's also made out of plastic and is just as frail as the tank), both hoses and plan on replacing the o-ring around the temp sensor in the lower hose. (or do like I did, and just get a new sensor, it comes with the o-ring). Don't forget to get a new cap.

The radiator doesn't necessarily have to be done at the same time as part of the preventative part of replacing cooling system parts. My friends at the dealer tell me that they don't see nearly as many radiators in E46's failing as they see expansion tanks. For example, they keep 5 expansion tanks in stock, but only 2 radiators (and usually the radiators get purchased by body shops for collision damage).

Thanks, Critter7r!! I'll add your input to Kellie's and hopefully I'll be good to go! However, as I get closer to doing it I'm sure I'll think of more questions :)