Should a car noob attempt to do a cooling system overhaul themselves?

**e46mayn** · 06-19-2019, 12:14 AM

The extent of my mechanic work has been replacing a civic radiator and thermostat, and oil/oil filter changes. Just bought a '04 e46 as my third car, and my last two were hondas. Is it doable to overhaul the entire cooling system as a beginner with just youtube and a weekend of time? Or is this just a stupid idea? I have the money to buy the parts but not enough to pay for a mechanic's labor.

Or would I be better off just starting off by replacing the fan clutch and/or radiator fan for now? I suspect one of those things is the culprit based on what I've read on this forum, since the car doesn't leak coolant or anything and it has a brand new water pump. Also, both heat and A/C work so I don't think it's the thermostat either. Plus it cools off while driving. Only time the gauge starts creeping up is when I'm idling for too long at a drive through or something (like 10 minutes). As soon as I drive off it cools down immediately.

edit: car is at 80k miles and someone recommended i overhaul the entire system before 100k.

**Liquidity** · 06-19-2019, 01:22 AM

This is actually the easiest cooling system to work on. There are no gaskets and no hose clamps. The water pump has an o-ring to seal and is bolted in place with 4 small bolts. The cooling hoses also use o-rings to seal and are just clipped into place. Working on a BMW reminds me of a “my first tool set” kit for a child.

**X3456** · 06-19-2019, 02:20 AM

It's all doable...if you have time,patience and strong comprehension skills and finally a second car.

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**MarcoZandrini** · 06-19-2019, 07:57 AM

Buy yourself a Bentley manual. It’ll save you a ton of time and frustration. Be advised that installing aftermarket cooling system parts is strictly verboten.

**jclausen** · 06-19-2019, 08:47 AM

The front of the coolant system is the most stressed part. The main thing I would look for is the color of the expansion tank and hose connectors, black originall, brown when old. To do a complete cooling system would also involve removing the intake manifold and replacing the plastic water pipes. Replacing the water pipes was the first thing I did on my car along with cycling valves and vacuum hoses. Leave the fan clutch on, it works fine.

**KlausH79** · 06-26-2019, 03:29 AM

I did it and I’ve never worked on cars before. It’s a pretty straightforward job. I found some good DIY’s on YouTube and got cracking.

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