Thermostat question/concern

[Brian Mc]

I am replacing The thermostat on my 97. When I took the old one out- you could tell it was stuck. The actual thermostat is fully extedned.
Problem is- part of on of the tabs that hold the thermostat in is GONE!
It looks like it broke and went somewhere.
Question is- where did the tab go?? I dont see anything in the block.
How bad do I freak out about this? It is the top of the tab ear maybe 1/3 by 3/8.
HELP!

[ClubSport]

It's probably stuck in the radiator and will stay there. If it hasn't caused a problem yet I wouldn't worry.

[tiFreak]

for what it's worth, the plastic water pump impeller on my E46 exploded and I know there's still a few pieces of it in my engine, hasn't caused a problem yet. I wouldn't be too worried about a piece that small

[jca]

The water pumps on all E-36's should be replaced at 60,000 miles as preventative maintainence, to prevent just what happened to tiFreak as well as preventing an overheating incident, that may ruin your head gasket or even your engine. BMW engines are very intolerant of overheating...too much aluminum. I wouldn't worry about that small bit of thermostat in the cooling system.