Quote:
Originally Posted by lowrydr310
I'm doing some preventative maintenance on my 335i which includes a new oil filter housing gasket and aluminum mickey mouse flange. I ordered the Rein hose with aluminum flange already attached but I absolutely cannot figure out how to get the lower part of the old hose off of the thermostat. I can't get a socket or flat head on the hose clamp to remove it.
So I'm keeping the original 160K mile hose for now and just replacing the flange. I had to remove the old flange to get the oil filter housing bolt out, and when I pulled it it split. I just used vise grips to crush the band clamp and the plastic all came out in 3 big chunks. I cut the band clamp off the replacement part with a Dremel damaging a brand new hose, just to get the new aluminum flange. I had no problem reinstalling it, just put some fresh coolant on the oring and it slid right in.
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I don't know how a N52 and N54 differ, but my hose on an N52 was VERY easy to take off. I wonder if you went through the wheel liner you would have access to to the clamp screw? I guess it doesn't matter now, so will hopefully last till you need to do the water pump/T stat.