[USAF Rick]

What's going on you guys,

Had a horrible weekend with my car, but she should be all good to go today.

While driving home from work this past Friday, an indicator went off saying that my engine is getting too hot and told me to drive moderately. I was confused because I was just cruising at about 70 MPH; not too much longer later my car says that my engine is overheating and then automatically switched into limp mode. This prompted me to look at my oil temp which isn't even close to the half way point. Thank god I was close to an exit with a gas station, I was able to get my car there. I knew my oil level was good, so I decided to wait for about 30 mins and checked on my radiator fluid level--it was good to go; I then decided to turn my water pump on by switching my car on but not turning the engine and then holding onto my gas pedal for about 10 seconds, but heard nothing. So I assumed it was the water pump, got my car towed to my local indy shop, and sure enough it was the water pump.

My technician told me that its common with these cars and says that while he's in there he recommened that I change out my thermostat as well. So yeah, everything is going to be estimated at about $1000 using genuine OE parts. So please learn from my experience and consider changing this out especially for those with the preventative maintenance mentality.

Oh and I also suggest for those who doesn't have AAA or some sort of road side assistance to get one! I was the unlucky one that had to pay $160 for a tow.

That is all, Happy Monday!

[Tony@vargasturbotech]

Busy weekend for water pumps mind left me stranded 2500 miles from the shop. I have AAA. So I got it towed to a shop and got the parts from BMW. About to get it fixed now and get it back on the road

[Sered]

I went through this about a month ago. Died at 59K, hopefully the new versions last longer. Some asshole at the factory or some service tech decided it'd be a good joke to install the hose clamps with the bolt facing the wrong direction, making my work a lot harder.

When I have to remove it again for the Stg3s, it should be a lot easier to do.

[TexE90]

Very common failure it seems. And yes, you should replace your thermostat while you're down there since you have to remove the old one anyways and it's ~$100 part.

This is a doable DIY for anyone mechanically inclined. There is a great write up in the DIY section of this website.

[JStang]

This thread and Tony's just prompted me to get a AAA membership. At 66k miles you never know when the water pump is going to go. Come to think about it, it's probably best that I just change it out in the near future to be on the safe side.

[USAF Rick]

After this week I need to start saving money again, ugh haha. My car's been draining my walet!

[TexE90]

You can check to see if the pump is about to die by activating the pump when the engine is off (it's the last step of a coolant flush...). If the pump is making a loud clicking sound nearly the entire time with very little water slushing sound (like a washing machine), then it's about dead.

There is a youtube video of this sound... I'll try to find it....

[USAF Rick]

Originally Posted by JStang

This thread and Tony's just prompted me to get a AAA membership. At 66k miles you never know when the water pump is going to go. Come to think about it, it's probably best that I just change it out in the near future to be on the safe side.

Agreed, haha.

[Tommeh]

Originally Posted by Vargasturbotech

Busy weekend for water pumps mind left me stranded 2500 miles from the shop. I have AAA. So I got it towed to a shop and got the parts from BMW. About to get it fixed now and get it back on the road

Since you are doing the work yourself (obviously), can you tell me do you need to do any coding when you put a new one in the car? I had mine replaced 5k miles ago and in my Cobb AP I get a code about the water pump...

[TexE90]

Originally Posted by TexE90

There is a youtube video of this sound... I'll try to find it....

What a bad water pump sounds like:

[pwr hungry]

waterpump is a known problem on these cars, that's why BMW discontinued it and remade it in metal vs the plastic ones that are failing. I would be interested to know if anyone has had the newer revision fail on them.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Definitely common. I would suggest preventative maintenance on these if you dont want to be left stranded.

Probably every 60-70K Miles.

[joec500]

Originally Posted by pwr hungry

waterpump is a known problem on these cars, that's why BMW discontinued it and remade it in metal vs the plastic ones that are failing. I would be interested to know if anyone has had the newer revision fail on them.

I don't think it's the impellers that fail, my BMW mechanic said it was the electronics that fail. Apparently there is a seal that wears over time and coolant contaminates the electronics. Here in San Francisco where more people are doing a lot of city driving and stop and go Traffic, he notices the Waterpumps dying around 50-60k miles. The people that have pumps fail at later mileage probably do more longer distance cruising driving where temps don't get as high and wear on the pump and the seals.

[pwr hungry]

Originally Posted by joec500

I don't think it's the impellers that fail, my BMW mechanic said it was the electronics that fail. Apparently there is a seal that wears over time and coolant contaminates the electronics. Here in San Francisco where more people are doing a lot of city driving and stop and go Traffic, he notices the Waterpumps dying around 50-60k miles. The people that have pumps fail at later mileage probably do more longer distance cruising driving where temps don't get as high and wear on the pump and the seals.

Pretty sure mine was a mangled impeller and/or a cracked plastic housing. I was told it's the plastic bits are the problem, but I would have to dig through stuff to find the write up.

[buster84]

What year did they start putting in metal pumps?

[See5]

I think mine went out at 58K so you did pretty well.

[Tony@vargasturbotech]

No coding needed

[bdbahh]

My 335i is in the shop right now with the exact same issue...50,500miles. It's a CPO so I'm hoping it will be covered under warranty.

[andydna15]

My water pump just went out yesterday too it sux!!

Mine lasted 125k miles.

[Miko226]

Originally Posted by index1489

Mine lasted 125k miles.

That is crazy over double what mine lasted do you do all highway?

[Javier]

How hard is it to switch out the water pump?