'89 Coolant Temp Sensor Replacement - How do you get to it?

[Cloudbase]

I'm replacing the Coolant Temp Sensor on my '89 325i. The fuel rail is in the way and forward most injector is in the way. I've tried to get to it from the side by removing the dashboard coolant temp sensor. Anyone got any special tips. I really don't want to pull my fuel rail and injectors.

[e30trooper]

I'm replacing the Coolant Temp Sensor on my '89 325i. The fuel rail is in the way and forward most injector is in the way. I've tried to get to it from the side by removing the dashboard coolant temp sensor. Anyone got any special tips. I really don't want to pull my fuel rail and injectors.

it gotta be done

[nando]

fuel rail and injectors is not hard

open the relay cover (near the afm) and pull both orange relays (one is fuel pump, the other O2, but it doesn't hurt to pull both).

start the car and wait for it to die. now you can remove the fuel hoses without pressurized fuel spraying in your face, but it can still spill so cap the bolts with a bolt.

you need to remove the bracket on the intake manifold between the manifold and VC

on a later car you just pry up from both ends of the harness, but on an 88 you have to undo each clip, but they aren't too awful. some cars don't have the round plug under the manifold (C131 I think), check to see if yours does - if it does, undo it so you can pull the injector harness out of the way.

now all you have left is the injectors. undo 4 10mm nuts, and and pry them with off with a couple screwdrivers using the valve cover for leverage. leave the clips ON. it will be tight but they'll come..

to finally pull them all the way out, you can remove the valve cover, but you might not need to if you are just changing the sensor.

may as well do o-rings and pintle caps while you're in there. bring an injector to any decent auto parts store, they're standard bosch stuff and should be available for peanuts nearly anywhere.

[Cloudbase]

Okay. After some investigation it can be removed by just prying off the fuel rail electrical connectors and moving it out of the way.

[Cloudbase]

fuel rail and injectors is not hard

open the relay cover (near the afm) and pull both orange relays (one is fuel pump, the other O2, but it doesn't hurt to pull both).

start the car and wait for it to die. now you can remove the fuel hoses without pressurized fuel spraying in your face, but it can still spill so cap the bolts with a bolt.

you need to remove the bracket on the intake manifold between the manifold and VC

on a later car you just pry up from both ends of the harness, but on an 88 you have to undo each clip, but they aren't too awful. some cars don't have the round plug under the manifold (C131 I think), check to see if yours does - if it does, undo it so you can pull the injector harness out of the way.

now all you have left is the injectors. undo 4 10mm nuts, and and pry them with off with a couple screwdrivers using the valve cover for leverage. leave the clips ON. it will be tight but they'll come..

to finally pull them all the way out, you can remove the valve cover, but you might not need to if you are just changing the sensor.

may as well do o-rings and pintle caps while you're in there. bring an injector to any decent auto parts store, they're standard bosch stuff and should be available for peanuts nearly anywhere.

Hey thanks for that description. I'm pretty sure the coolant temp sensor fixed my running issues, but if not the O rings are on the list and this will be super helpful...