[Eddien123]

I'm just curious and please don't flame me for I do not know the legality behind this.

Why hasn't BMW been obligated to do a recall on cars affected with the water pump issue. From what I understand every E90 has this issue and I was curious to know why it wasn't mandated by law that they fix it?

I've seen recalls on issues that affect much less cars than the water pump so if anyone could clear that up that would be great. Thanks!

[mike5809]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

From what I understand every E90 has this issue and I was curious to know why it wasn't mandated by law that they fix it? !

I have had two e92 and neither had water pump issues.

[GarlicBread]

Water pump fails at some point on all cars

[PhaseP]

Neither a safety nor emissions issue, no recalls.

[Mardio]

Originally Posted by GarlicBread

Water pump fails at some point on all cars

+1 I have replaced two on my jeep.

[thomas88162]

I think many mistake this as a prominent issue with the E9x 3 series, but this is not true. Yes, some of the early model cars had a "bad" water pump design, but it was promptly updated and there are still 06-07 cars driving around with their original pumps. Already stated, but water pumps are a wear item and do eventually require replacement. I also don't know where you are getting your numbers from, but I don't think that the water pumps which have failed so far have affected all that many cars. I have nothing to back this up, but I have also noticed that this issue is much more often posted about if A) the car in question is 335i [400 watt pump/more heat] and B) the car has been tuned [some tunes allow water pump maps to be altered] Finally, they aren't going to initiate a recall on an issue which is 6 or more years old with some of the applicable cars being even older. With these observations in mind, I simply don't see BMW justifying a recall anytime soon.

[Kolyan2k]

why would they recall it ? they are in business to make money not loose

It has to become a big safety or emission issue and/or a lawsuit.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Same reason they don't issue recalls on your tires.

You can argue that the water pump is a maintenance item and will need replaced at some point, regardless of how well you take care of your car. It is a "wear" item, meaning, over time, it wears out.

Now, do BMW water pumps "wear out" a little faster than other mechanically driven pumps? Sure.
Did BMW put the water pump in a pain-in-the-ass area of the engine where you need to rip the thing apart to fix? Sure.

Do either of those items warrant a recall? Unfortunately no.

Recalls are usually "safety" items. A water pump is hardly a safety item, considering you "could" still drive the car to a safe area even if the pump went out.

...with all that said, do I wish my Water pump was covered when it goes out, or wish our e90's didn't have "problems" with our electronic pumps... hell yes.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

Same reason they don't issue recalls on your tires.

You can argue that the water pump is a maintenance item and will need replaced at some point, regardless of how well you take care of your car. It is a "wear" item, meaning, over time, it wears out.

Now, do BMW water pumps "wear out" a little faster than other mechanically driven pumps? Sure.
Did BMW put the water pump in a pain-in-the-ass area of the engine where you need to rip the thing apart to fix? Sure.

Do either of those items warrant a recall? Unfortunately no.

Recalls are usually "safety" items. A water pump is hardly a safety item, considering you "could" still drive the car to a safe area even if the pump went out.

...with all that said, do I wish my Water pump was covered when it goes out, or wish our e90's didn't have "problems" with our electronic pumps... hell yes.

Ok I understand now. I just made this post because the most prominent issue is the water pump so it was just curiosity

[Delta0311]

A water pump will fail around 80-120k miles on most cars. BMW is not like most cars and its pump can fail a heck of a lot sooner. My failed at a little over 30k miles, someone else on here had theirs fail at under 20k. And no my car is not tuned and mostly highway driven.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

A water pump will fail around 80-120k miles on most cars. BMW is not like most cars and its pump can fail a heck of a lot sooner. My failed at a little over 30k miles, someone else on here had theirs fail at under 20k. And no my car is not tuned and mostly highway driven.

Actually never heard or had water pump fail on most none Euro cars. Water pump supposed to last life of the car

[PhaseP]

A water pump will fail around 80-120k miles on most cars. BMW is not like most cars and its pump can fail a heck of a lot sooner

Most cars have metal water pumps. BMW has plastic water pump.

I wonder what is the ratio of 335 with early water pump failure vs N/A models. My thinking is the engine compartment will be hotter with turbo, plastic and heat don't go that well.

I also wonder the ratio of plastic valve cover cracks on turbo vs N/A BMW's.

[The Cleaner]

It's the variable speed electrics that are failing from what I have seem. I don't have any concert proof that is the only reason, but I don't hear about leakers. This design is a big step from the more passive mechanical pumps of the past and frankly 60-100K was about all you got from the E36 and E46 pumps. What owners don't like about the electric pumps is they cost 4-8 times the mechanical version.

[cialz]

bmw has cut a lot of corners using plastic parts but it still doesn't warrant a recall...

ie ever had your window fall into your door? I had a few in the x5... ever have a key lock break? bmw has had plenty.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by PhaseP

Most cars have metal water pumps. BMW has plastic water pump.

Also, most cars have a passive, mechanical water pump, driven by a belt. It was common practice to replace the water pump with the timing belt on my old honda and integra, which was about every 60-80k miles. But the pumps were a lot cheaper than the electric unit on the E9x.

FWIW, the water pump on my E90 lasted 119k miles before it went out.

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Actually never heard or had water pump fail on most none Euro cars. Water pump supposed to last life of the car

Not so on turbo cars. You change the water pump when you do the timing belt (60k miles). 335 has timing chain, so people haven't been doing it. It is a wearable item. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

Not so on turbo cars. You change the water pump when you do the timing belt (60k miles). 335 has timing chain, so people haven't been doing it. It is a wearable item. Nothing more, nothing less.

Dads Hyundai with belt, not recommended to replace water pump with belt per Hyundai. Dads another Hyundai, 3 of my Nissans, and 2 Hondas all on original pumps at around 150-160k miles

E46 M3 pump failed at 40k or so.

[gray boy]

like kolyan said, worked on a maxima today with 280k -- same water pump

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Dads Hyundai with belt, not recommended to replace water pump with belt per Hyundai. Dads another Hyundai, 3 of my Nissans, and 2 Hondas all on original pumps at around 150-160k miles

E46 M3 pump failed at 40k or so.

Any of those turbo cars?

If not, timing chain?

Manufacturers also say you should go 15k between oil changes. Believe that?

My water pump lasted to 110k miles. I replaced it then bc I didn't want it to fail at an I opportune time. They obviously can last different mileages.

[Kolyan2k]

Santa Fe with belt about 120k miles on pump, rest are chain with 150-160k on pump. All were sold or totaled so I never actually replaced any. None of those are turbo. M3 is obviously NA and its pump failed.

[Chrisruf911]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Actually never heard or had water pump fail on most none Euro cars. Water pump supposed to last life of the car

I've never heard of a "lifetime water pump." I've worked in the automotive field for 20 years. There are instances where some have gotten an extended amount of time out of a pump. They are wear items such as tires, brakes and suspension parts.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Chrisruf911

I've never heard of a "lifetime water pump." I've worked in the automotive field for 20 years. There are instances where some have gotten an extended amount of time out of a pump. They are wear items such as tires, brakes and suspension parts.

Engine and transmission are wear items too that will eventually fail. When they fail prematurely, its a shitty design or a defect....same with water pump.