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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Water Pump Maintenance



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      10-05-2009, 01:39 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
Unlike the last generation water pump, the E9X uses an electric pump which means the typical failure point, the mechanical bearing and the impeller, are even more UNPREDICTABLE than the old design.

In the olden days, it is suggested that every other coolant change you swap out the water pump too. When the E36 came along with its self destructing impeller fan, it was suggested that every 60,000 miles you swap those troublesome water pumps before it explodes and take your engine with it. Since then the impellers were improved (gone from flimsy plastic to stainless steel to some sort of lightweight, fancy composite material). With the newer pump design the fan seems to last but the bearings will fail anywhere between 75,000-120,000 miles, so it's back to every other coolant change.

The problem now, with an all electric-driven pump, is that the failure may be other issues, besides the impeller, bearing in the motor (although not mechanically attached to a belt), or the catch-all electrical gremlin. So now you can reasonably expect to replace the pump at ANY interval and it may still fail on you. In fact I've seen several pumps fail on an E9X already. So on an E9X with an electric pump, your best bet is to replace the pump WHEN IT FAILS, not preventively.
I thought only the N54 has an electric water pump... yes? no?
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      10-05-2009, 02:33 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rambalu80 View Post
The coolant in my car definitely ain't blue!
The BMW coolant that I have in the garage is blue, or perhaps greenish (and I just checked). Aqua if we go into female foo foo colors, however I am a basic 16 color VGA kind of guy.

However I have no idea what it looks like after a few years of service.
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      10-05-2009, 05:16 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpsum View Post
I thought only the N54 has an electric water pump... yes? no?
The N54 and the N52 both use electric water pumps. That means ALL the E9Xes gasonline inline 6es if memory serves.

Last edited by The HACK; 10-05-2009 at 06:35 PM..
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      10-05-2009, 06:14 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
The N54 and the N52 both use electric water pumps. That means ALL the E9Xes if memory serves.
I wouldn't bet on the 335d.
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      10-06-2009, 03:01 AM   #27
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On timing chain, when should we replace it? Thanks!
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      11-11-2009, 08:56 AM   #28
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E90 Water Pump

I have a 06 325 with 72K, water pump just failed last night. Like people say, there is no warning, was on the highway going to see Bruce Springsteen, the temperature light warning lit up red, meaning the car goes into a "safe mode" where it can't go more than 40 miles an hour. There really is no warning, but I pulled over, got it towed and will get it fixed.

I think it is just one of those things that when it goes, you replace it, I don't really see why you would bother to replace it until it goes.
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      11-11-2009, 10:24 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alam View Post
On timing chain, when should we replace it? Thanks!

the timing chain can last longer than your car will run. you can have your whole engine overhauled and re-use the same timing chain. the only time you would probably replace it is if there's significant wear on it or you had some kind of catastrophic engine failure or damage, which will necessitate it full engine tear down. also BMW coolant is blue and feels slick when you touch it. your BMW shouldn't be leaking coolant after driving in a hot day, that's why there's a coolant catch reseroir. there may be a leak of some sort or the cap is loose. anyway, keep an eye on the coolant level.
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      11-11-2009, 10:57 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcollum68 View Post
I have a 06 325 with 72K, water pump just failed last night. Like people say, there is no warning, was on the highway going to see Bruce Springsteen, the temperature light warning lit up red, meaning the car goes into a "safe mode" where it can't go more than 40 miles an hour. There really is no warning, but I pulled over, got it towed and will get it fixed.

I think it is just one of those things that when it goes, you replace it, I don't really see why you would bother to replace it until it goes.
how much to replace as your car appears to be way over the warranty (like my car).
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      11-12-2009, 07:00 AM   #31
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Price to replace water pump

Actually, mine is CPO, so I have 100000 mile warranty, but the cost would have been $727.00. It was done at Cain BMW in North Canton, Ohio. There may have also been a $99.00 diagnostic fee added to that amount.

It only took about 2 hours to do. Think it is one of those things you just wait till it goes!
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      11-12-2009, 10:28 AM   #32
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I've owned an E30, E36, E46 and now E90. I always changed the water pumps at about 60K and started to check for seepage or buildup around the housing at every oil change from 50K on. The problem is not losing the pump but in the design of the block and head. When they switched over to the alloy blocks and used the steel head gasket what would typically happen is if you significantly overheated the engine due to water pump or radiator failure (another component you should replace every 90 to 100K) the gasket would not expand, warp the head and even pull the bolts thru the block. BMW's stand on E36/E46 motors with that issue was to replace the block, decent lndy shops will drill and helicoil the head bolts saving the block for another pass at destruction. Too early to tell on the E9x versions but if I keep mine for the duration, I'll be doing a pump at 60K simply because I always have in previous cars and always drove them to about 160K before selling them. My E46 is my current DD and it's on it's 3rd pump with 147K on the clock and nothing done to it but oil, water pumps, a radiator, one set of plugs and belts, original clutch etc. That scheme has worked well for me. And $700 sounds about right for a water pump service which on the previous versions included the theromstat and all belts in that price. Oh and as far as E36/E46 impellers you can buy aftermarket wirth steel impellers once the warranty is gone!
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      11-12-2009, 01:13 PM   #33
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BTW, the thermostat is also controlled electronically and costs around $125. So yes, both the water pump and thermostat on the E9x cars are very pricey, and really I would not replace preemptively like I would on my E34.

Timing chain will most likely never need to be replaced, but the chain tensioners have been known to fail...but usually not before ~200k miles.
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      11-12-2009, 02:15 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 742 View Post
The BMW coolant that I have in the garage is blue, or perhaps greenish (and I just checked). Aqua if we go into female foo foo colors, however I am a basic 16 color VGA kind of guy.

However I have no idea what it looks like after a few years of service.
No the coolant is blue. I checked mine the other day and it's definitely blue
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      11-12-2009, 03:19 PM   #35
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The 335d has a traditional belt driven water pump. It's less than half the price of the electric one on the gas cars.
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      11-27-2009, 10:57 AM   #36
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Exclamation failed electric water pump 2006 330i

Quote:
Originally Posted by Saintor View Post
When it fails (?).

As per I read, there some cases of failures and it leaves you in the field, giving no usable warning. At some point it may make sense to change in prevention, but it is electrical and much more expensive (6-800$) to change than a regular one.

It would be interesting to determine a point in mileage where at least 10% failed. Then I would be tempted to do it.

My guess so far; not enough info.
my car with 24,500 miles the pump failed,pump is very expensive,car is out of warranty,does anyone now of any recall on these pumps?
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      11-27-2009, 11:22 AM   #37
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I would expect an electric water pump to be more reliable than a belt-driven pump. First, the electric pump runs at a constant speed and does not constantly change RPM with engine RPM, which will extend bearing life. Second, there is no side pressure from an over-tensioned belt, which will extend bearing and impeller shaft seal life.

Considering the electric motor has been around for over 100 years, I'm sure the design of the electric motor in the BMW water pump to be pretty well thoughtout and has a long time between failures. The failures of the water pump that have been seen of are most likely no more numerous that what would be expected of any manufactured assembly.
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      11-27-2009, 04:07 PM   #38
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      11-27-2009, 04:08 PM   #39
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      11-30-2009, 02:32 PM   #40
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To OP, all e9x WP is electric. So I am not familiar with how it fails.
The old BMW engine has WP driven by belt and the bearings are known to fail around 60000 miles, usually precede by whining sound and small leaks around the bearing
The bearing is the weak point since it loaded by the serpentine belt.

So for your 05 325XI just keep an eye on engine temp and if it creeps up change the electric WP (but first I'll try to flush the cooling system to see if there is improvement). The MSRP for electric WP is around $400, ouch.
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      12-24-2009, 02:32 PM   #41
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i have a '06 325i. it's a daily driver with 65k miles. my water pump failed last week. basically, my car over heated and i had to have it towed to my mechanic.

my mechanic took out the water pump and tested it with an external power source. the water pump would not start up.

after owning an e34, that was notorious for water pump issues like the e36 (same m50 motor), i was hoping bmw would've made a more reliable cooling system by now.

all i can say is that it really sucks being stranded on the road and waiting for a tow truck. and there was no warning the water pump was going to fail.
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      12-26-2009, 04:16 PM   #42
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did you guys do a coolant flush when it was schedulled at 50k miles ( 80k hm ) or if you bought your cars in 2006 in august 2009 ? It also depends in your climate and if you're in trafic a lot.
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      12-26-2009, 05:54 PM   #43
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on E90 there is no leak symptom of the water pump when u have a water pump failure the check engine light will turn on and the car speed decrease it wont get any acceloration it is controlled by the computer. the transmission fluid maintnance requirement is 100k, coolant flushing at 50k, no need to replace if you dont see the symptom. good luck
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      02-08-2010, 04:45 AM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcollum68 View Post
I have a 06 325 with 72K, water pump just failed last night. Like people say, there is no warning, was on the highway going to see Bruce Springsteen, the temperature light warning lit up red, meaning the car goes into a "safe mode" where it can't go more than 40 miles an hour. There really is no warning, but I pulled over, got it towed and will get it fixed.

I think it is just one of those things that when it goes, you replace it, I don't really see why you would bother to replace it until it goes.
Too bad there is no warning to a point where we could at least know it's going to fail and make arrangements to have it replaced.

I am at 79k miles and I am tempted to replace it, but others have said that it is unpredictable in which a new one could fail in under 10k miles.
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