[Rollo`]

I have 128000 miles on my original water pump and would like to go ahead and get it replaced soon so I don't have to worry about driving it long distances.

I think it is a bit outside my diy skills. If I had access to a lift and air tools I would probably try it but no such luck.

There is a good independent bmw shop in my area but only one and they are typically pretty expensive. Dealership is out of the question due to price as well. However there is a general auto repair shop that has completed repairs on some of my japanese cars over the years that is fairly reasonable.

So, is there any reason I shouldn't buy the parts myself from fcpeuro and pay them to change the water pump/thermostat for me?

thanks...

[Impreza98]

I had my waterpump and thermostat changed out by a general mechanic around seven months ago/ I haven't experienced any problems, no leaks or anything. I did have to do the auto bleeding on my own since the shop was not aware of it.

[Rollo`]

Originally Posted by Impreza99

I had my waterpump and thermostat changed out by a general mechanic around seven months ago/ I haven't experienced any problems, no leaks or anything. I did have to do the auto bleeding on my own since the shop was not aware of it.

Thanks...I should watch a diy for it so I can ensure everything gets completed correctly.

[Efthreeoh]

Not sure which engine we are speaking about, but a few thoughts. Aside from changing out the pump as preventative maintenance as being paranoid, buying parts and giving them to a professional mechanic usually is bad practice. Most professional mechanics will not provide warranty on their work if you bring your parts. It makes sense, since the mechanic can't verify where the parts came from nor validate the parts condition. When the mechanic sources the parts, he gets a warranty from his supplier, so if the part fails, his labor is covered under that warranty. If your part fails, he doesn't have his labor covered.

If your part fails, you have to send it back to FCP Euro to get a replacement, so the mechanic will charge you to uninstall the part so you can send it back. Then the mechanic has a dead car on his lift for two weeks while you get a new part from FCO Euro. You get the picture...

Second, I have found that letting a non-BMW mechanic work on BMWs is usually bad practice. More BMWs get f'd up by mechanics not familiar with BMW procedures and special tools (including scan tools).

I'd go with the BMW specialist and pay the extra few hundred for a warranty and confidence the wp is installed correctly.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Not sure which engine we are speaking about, but a few thoughts. Aside from changing out the pump as preventative maintenance as being paranoid, buying parts and giving them to a professional mechanic usually is bad practice. Most professional mechanics will not provide warranty on their work if you bring your parts. It makes sense, since the mechanic can't verify where the parts came from nor validate the parts condition. When the mechanic sources the parts, he gets a warranty from his supplier, so if the part fails, his labor is covered under that warranty. If your part fails, he doesn't have his labor covered.

If your part fails, you have to send it back to FCP Euro to get a replacement, so the mechanic will charge you to uninstall the part so you can send it back. Then the mechanic has a dead car on his lift for two weeks while you get a new part from FCO Euro. You get the picture...

Second, I have found that letting a non-BMW mechanic work on BMWs is usually bad practice. More BMWs get f'd up by mechanics not familiar with BMW procedures and special tools (including scan tools).

I'd go with the BMW specialist and pay the extra few hundred for a warranty and confidence the wp is installed correctly.

This is great advice. Also, the WP isn't a hard job, just annoying with stuff in the way. It can be done with car ramps/jackstands and hand tools.

[Impreza98]

Generally I follow the rule that if the job doesn't require special BMW tools or coding I let my general mechanic do the job otherwise I go with a BMW specialist. I just can't justify paying the premium taking it to a specialist when for the most part the replacement of a water pump/thermostat, brakes and/or suspension components are pretty straight forward.

[Three_thirty_I]

Any decent mechanic should be able to do this fairly easily, a BMW specialist (or knowledgeable) mechanic should most definitely be fine to do this. Yes, supplying your own parts carries the risk of the workshop not providing a warranty on the work since they didn't source the parts, so bare that in mind. There's a BMW specialist that I used to use some years back, they go one step further, they slap on a surcharge for supplying your own parts! How's that for cheeky!!

It is a fiddly and messy DIY, and the biggest thing is that you really need to get all four corners off the ground, especially the front of course, then it's just the basic tools and some patience. I did the thermostat years ago on mine, thought it was faulty, turned out it wasn't, but the job itself was pretty straight forward. The only thing I battled with was getting the old thermostat free from that U-pipe connecting it to the water pump - coolant everywhere, and it has a soapy quality, so you get the picture. A lot of the work was easily done from above, there was good access for me doing it this way. There are loads of DIYs here and on the internet, YouTube, so I would rather DIY it if possible, or take the chance and use a decent mechanic...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

If your part fails, you have to send it back to FCP Euro to get a replacement, so the mechanic will charge you to uninstall the part so you can send it back. Then the mechanic has a dead car on his lift for two weeks while you get a new part from FCO Euro. You get the picture...

This is incorrect. The way FCP Euro works is you order the part first then return when you want.

So you will not get charged exclusively to remove the part because the old part will be removed anyways once the mechanic puts in the new part. So this also mean the car does not have to sit on the lift dead. It can await in the parking lot with the dysfunctional water pump in the car.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

This is incorrect. The way FCP Euro works is you order the part first then return when you want.

So you will not get charged exclusively to remove the part because the old part will be removed anyways once the mechanic puts in the new part. So this also mean the car does not have to sit on the lift dead. It can await in the parking lot with the dysfunctional water pump in the car.

The mechanic is still going to charge you to remove the failed part regardless if you order another part from FCP Euro ahead of time or not. The part failed under someone else's warranty, so the mechanic is not going to remove the failed part and replace it with the new part for free. Also, the mechanic is going to charge you for diagnosis to figure out if the newly installed WP was the part that failed (again). So ordering 3rd party parts to give to the mechanic come without his replacement warranty. If he sources the parts, then the warranty and subsequent fault determination is totally on him.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The mechanic is still going to charge you to remove the failed part regardless if you order another part from FCP Euro ahead of time or not. The part failed under someone else's warranty, so the mechanic is not going to remove the failed part and replace it with the new part for free. Also, the mechanic is going to charge you for diagnosis to figure out if the newly installed WP was the part that failed (again). So ordering 3rd party parts to give to the mechanic come without his replacement warranty. If he sources the parts, then the warranty and subsequent fault determination is totally on him.

No he won't that makes no sense. The mechanic already removes the old part when he installs a new one why would he charge more? Who the hell charges more for that. Does the mechanic charge the guy because he removed the old factory water pump? No, so why is it different in this case.

As for diagnostic ok yeah, but OP could just replace it preventively again and the future and just pay labor.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

No he won't that makes no sense. The mechanic already removes the old part when he installs a new one why would he charge more? Who the hell charges more for that. Does the mechanic charge the guy because he removed the old factory water pump? No, so why is it different in this case.

As for diagnostic ok yeah, but OP could just replace it preventively again and the future and just pay labor.

The "old" part is the recently replaced "new" water pump that the OP brought (from FCP Euro) to the mechanic to install instead of the mechanic sourcing the water pump and installing it in the OP's car, which replaced the original factory water pump. So if the new water pump (from FCP Euro - that replaced the factory water pump) has a failure under (FCP's) warranty, the mechanic HAS TO REMOVE THE WATER PUMP (AGAIN) so the replacement part (i.e. the second water pump from FCP Euro) can be installed to get the car running again. So, because the OP brings his own purchased parts, if the part fails, the OP has to pay the mechanic to remove it, so it can be returned to the OP's supplier (i.e. FCP Euro) for a refund...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The "old" part is the recently replaced "new" water pump that the OP brought (from FCP Euro) to the mechanic to install instead of the mechanic sourcing the water pump and installing it in the OP's car, which replaced the original factory water pump. So if the new water pump (from FCP Euro - that replaced the factory water pump) has a failure under (FCP's) warranty, the mechanic HAS TO REMOVE THE WATER PUMP (AGAIN) so the replacement part (i.e. the second water pump from FCP Euro) can be installed to get the car running again. So, because the OP brings his own purchased parts, if the part fails, the OP has to pay the mechanic to remove it, so it can be returned to the OP's supplier (i.e. FCP Euro) for a refund...

Ok my bad I think I misunderstood. You're saying if the pump fails within 1 year for example and it's the mechanic pump he wouldn't charge him anything since labor would be covered as well.

But in case of FCP only the part is covered by FCP.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ok my bad I think I misunderstood. You're saying if the pump fails within 1 year for example and it's the mechanic pump he wouldn't charge him anything since labor would be covered as well.

But in case of FCP only the part is covered by FCP.

Yes, exactly. FCP's warranty is great for the DIY'er, which is the intent.

[Fredo]

OP, it won't hurt to ask the BMW shop if they could match the FCP price. I know some places do.

[Rollo`]

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm not too worried about the new parts failing and I would probably try to diy it if I had a lift but I am more mechanically cursed than gifted so I think I will leave it to a professional.

I will talk to the local indy and then the mechanic to compare prices and will post to this thread for informational purposes.

thanks again...

[mehrlovin]

I had mine done at a gas station with good service department and it was fine. What you want to do at these places is ask if they have a BMW certified master technician. This place, even though its a gas station, actually had 2 so they knew how to do it. It is not particularly hard though either way and you'll know if its not done right. Real question IMO is whether they use good parts vs. refurbs

[D-e93]

Hi Rollo, how is the water pump holding up? Did you get it done Local or BMW? I am under the same predicament.

[ry_Beemguy]

Originally Posted by Impreza99

I had my waterpump and thermostat changed out by a general mechanic around seven months ago/ I haven't experienced any problems, no leaks or anything. I did have to do the auto bleeding on my own since the shop was not aware of it.

+1 on doing the coolant bleeding process on your own. I had mine changed at a general shop and they had no idea about this process. Also I brought my own parts for peace of mind.