M42: Thermostat or what?

["Steve Ballard" <stballard@xxxxxxxxx>]

I finally decided to replace the vacuum and coolant hoses on my 1991 318is.
 What a nightmare!  I had to remove the intake manifold to get to most of
them.  My current dilemma is that some of the replacement water hoses don't
match with the ones I purchased as replacements.  This specifically refers
to the hoses that connect to the firewall.  On my car, they are routed in a
complex fashion to a funny looking device that looks like a miniature
version of a 2002 external thermostat.  I ordered a replacement thermostat,
however, and the one I received looks like an internal thermostat - only I
can't find a place to put it.  The replacement water hoses that I have
could be made to work with the old "thermostat" but I would need to splice
it in.  Exactly what in the hell is this thing?  Is it really the
thermostat?  Did the parts guys sell me the wrong thermostat?  What makes
this job really difficult and confusing is that I cannot locate a good
schematic for vacuum and water hoses in this car.  Neither Chiltons,
Bentley, nor Haynes are any help.  Can someone tell me where to find one?

Steve Ballard
Mobile AL

1991 318is (down)
1972 R50/5 (old reliable)

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