BMW 230i Car Thermostat Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(109)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(109)

Car Thermostat Replacement Service

How much does a Car Thermostat Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 230i Car Thermostat Replacement is $433 with $300 for parts and $133 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2018 BMW 230iL4-2.0L TurboService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$761.37Shop/Dealer Price$925.46 - $1386.25
Show example BMW 230i Car Thermostat Replacement prices

What is an engine cooling system thermostat and how does it work?

The car's engine cooling system thermostat is a small valve within a cooling system passageway that opens and closes in response to the temperature of the circulating engine coolant. When your car is first started and the coolant is cold, the valve in the thermostat will be in the closed position, circulating the coolant flow only within the engine instead of flowing to the radiator, which allows the engine to warm up fast, promoting fuel efficiency, low emissions, and reduced engine deposits. Once the engine coolant reaches the design temperature, usually around 195 degrees, the valve will open and close as you drive in order to maintain a coolant temperature typically between 195 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Thermostat

When to consider replacing the engine cooling system thermostat:

  • Engine overheats. A thermostat with the valve stuck closed is a common cause of engine overheating. However, since there are other causes of overheating, a mechanic will thoroughly inspect the cooling system prior to condemning the thermostat. Since it is usually not known how badly the engine overheated, the mechanic will also try to determine if there is evidence that the cylinder head gasket was blown. If so, it would be repaired prior to replacing the thermostat.
  • Temperature gauge reads too low or too high. Thermostats can get sticky, causing the engine temperature to stray from the optimal range. Your dash-mounted temperature gauge will notify you of this malfunction.
  • Cooling system repairs. All thermostats eventually fail. Therefore, if the cooling system is already open for major repairs, such as water pump or radiator replacement, it is recommended to install a new thermostat simply as insurance against future breakdown.

How do mechanics replace the engine cooling system thermostat?

  • Once the engine is completely cold, the radiator cap is loosened and enough coolant is drained from the radiator so the coolant level is below the thermostat housing.
  • The thermostat housing is removed and the thermostat and gasket are extracted. Note that some cars have more than one cooling system thermostat and both might need replacement.
  • All mounting surfaces on the thermostat housing are cleaned of old gasket material. A new gasket is applied and the thermostat is re-installed in the correct orientation and with the temperature sensing cylinder facing downward towards the engine.
  • The thermostat housing bolts are tightened to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications using a calibrated inch-pound torque wrench.
  • The cooling system is refilled with the appropriate coolant type and the system is fully bled of all air.
  • The car engine is run until the normal operating temperature is reached, and while taking precautions with the hot coolant, the coolant level is rechecked while confirming there is flow through the radiator — either visually or with an infrared temperature gun. This will confirm the thermostat is open. Finally, the engine is checked for leaks.

Is it safe to drive with an engine cooling system thermostat problem?

No. If it has been determined that there is a thermostat problem, it should be repaired right away. Failure to do so can cause substantial and costly damage to the engine.

When replacing the engine cooling system thermostat keep in mind:

  • Engine overheating due to causes other than a faulty thermostat, will themselves damage a thermostat. Therefore, always replace the thermostat if the engine overheats, even if the thermostat was not the initial cause of the overheating.
  • The thermostat should be replaced anytime you have major work done on the coolant system. It is convenient and costs little during such repairs and insurance against future breakdown.
  • OEM thermostats are the best ones to use and you can request your mechanic to install only the OEM thermostat. Dealer supplied, OEM thermostats are sometimes more costly but are generally higher quality and specifically engineered for your car.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(109)

Rating Summary
107
1
0
0
1
107
1
0
0
1

Christopher

15 years of experience
40 reviews
Christopher
15 years of experience
BMW 325xi L6-2.5L - Thermostat - Atlanta, Georgia
Very quick and knowledgeable precise

Augustine

12 years of experience
129 reviews
Augustine
12 years of experience
BMW X1 L4-2.0L Turbo - Thermostat - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Augustine was very helpful and transparent. He is very knowledgeable and he got the job done. I am very happy.

Daniel

15 years of experience
37 reviews
Daniel
15 years of experience
BMW 745i V8-4.4L - Thermostat - Justin, Texas
Great Job

Chris

16 years of experience
122 reviews
Chris
16 years of experience
BMW Z4 L6-2.5L - Thermostat - Newport Beach, California
Chris is an amazing mechanic. I trust him completely with my car, and respect his opinion and expertise. I will go out of my way to use him in the future.

Excellent Rating

(109)

Rating Summary
107
1
0
0
1
107
1
0
0
1
Number of BMW Car Thermostat Replacement services completed
1199+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Missouri Speed Limits, Laws, and Fines
Following Following is an overview of the laws, limits, and fines as they relate to speeding traffic violations in the state of Missouri. Speed limits in Missouri 70 mph: rural freeways and interstates 65 mph: rural expressways 60 mph: urban...
What Does the Distance Warning Light Mean?
The distance warning light turns on when your car is in danger of hitting another car or obstructing object.
How to Replace an Electronic Ignition Pickup
The electronic ignition pickup is part of the ignition distributor. Signs of failure include intermittent misfiring or failure all at once.

Why is there a squeaking noise after an oil change?

Hi, thanks for writing in. It is possible that you could have accidentally spilled a little bit of oil on your serpentine belt. If this is the case, the noise will eventually go away. If it does not, you can...

Engine temp reads low 2005 Chevrolet Impala

Hello - there are a couple of possible problems here: the thermostat may not be working properly, or the coolant temperature sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/temp-gauge-goes-up-and-down) for the gauge is not working correctly. A malfunctioning thermostat could allow enough engine heat for heater...

Car Stalls when warm.

If you have not replaced the fuel pump module then this will be the most common cause of the vehicle stalling when hot.

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com