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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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      10-04-2009, 03:33 AM   #1
rodigl
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Water Pump Maintenance

Hi, I have an '06 325XI. I was wondering at what mileage/years do you change the water pump?

Thanks
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      10-04-2009, 08:12 AM   #2
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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.
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      10-04-2009, 09:14 AM   #3
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I've asked the same question about my Nissan, which is at 180k and 12.5 yrs. old. My wife's uncle who just replaced a VQ's water pump on a '96 said he believes it's a function of the coolant, as well as mileage. In other words, replacing the coolant at recommended intervals is going to prolong the life of the pump as it has lubricating properties. So on a properly maintained vehicle it could go for quite a while.
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      10-04-2009, 11:47 AM   #4
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I suggest that you get Mike Miller's Old School BMW Maintenance Schedule, particularly if you're intending to keep your car for awhile. You can request one through Roundel or Bimmer magazine. The Old School BMW Maintenance Schedule recommends for M50, M54, S50, S52 (US spec) six cylinder engines a "new water pump, thermostat, plastic thermostat housing if so equipped" every 60000 miles.
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      10-04-2009, 01:16 PM   #5
rodigl
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Thanks everybody for your responses. I wanted to change it before it fails. At least in my CLK I can see at what temperature the engine is so I can know when it starts to fail. But in this car I have no way to know the engine's temperature.

Thanks!
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      10-04-2009, 01:30 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodigl View Post
Thanks everybody for your responses. I wanted to change it before it fails. At least in my CLK I can see at what temperature the engine is so I can know when it starts to fail. But in this car I have no way to know the engine's temperature.

Thanks!
uh...
yes you can

see that on the right side? where on the left side it's gas, on the right it's temp
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      10-04-2009, 01:45 PM   #7
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Some cars have an MPG gauge and no temp.
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      10-04-2009, 01:51 PM   #8
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I would not replace a water pump until it fails for several reasons. One is that I have replaced a failed water pump with a brand new one and had that pump fail shortly afterwards. You could end up replacing a perfectly good part with one that is less reliable. Water pumps are not a maintaince item any more that a radiator, cylinder head, power steering pump etc, all of those components can fail but you normally would not replace them until they failed.
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      10-04-2009, 02:08 PM   #9
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My car only has the Fuel and the MPG gauges. No temperature Gauge like DV said. Besides the temperature on McLuVan's picture is for oil temperature, not water temperature.

Pruettfan, it is true what you say, you would normally not replace one until it fails.

In the meantime my car has 60K miles, I'm going to chanche the belt, engine oil, front and rear differential oil, transmission flush, brake liquid service.

Has anyone allready done a transmission flush?


Thanks a lot!!!
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      10-04-2009, 02:32 PM   #10
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the temp guage shown is oil temp not coolant temp...as for the coolant pump ive replaced probably 10-12 of them on e90s and several on e60s/e70's..id suggest changing it as a preventative thing at some point but im not totally sure what milage id suggest it at as ive replaced some with 10k on them and some with upwards of 90k on them...so idk? id just let it go till its broken..the car will tell you lol
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      10-04-2009, 10:03 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by volkswackin View Post
the temp guage shown is oil temp not coolant temp...as for the coolant pump ive replaced probably 10-12 of them on e90s and several on e60s/e70's..id suggest changing it as a preventative thing at some point but im not totally sure what milage id suggest it at as ive replaced some with 10k on them and some with upwards of 90k on them...so idk? id just let it go till its broken..the car will tell you lol
I changed 1 at 4k... lol. Good way to scare everyone.
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      10-04-2009, 10:18 PM   #12
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No water pump changes unless it leaks, don't even waste money on it!
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      10-04-2009, 10:47 PM   #13
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When your oil temp starts increasing then you should investigate. Otherwise, it's a lifetime type of part.
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      10-05-2009, 12:24 AM   #14
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i don't know much about BMW as my 330 is my first. But on all other car I have owned, I always change the water pump and themostat when it's time to change the timing belt. Save a shit load on labor.
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      10-05-2009, 06:02 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by jpsum View Post
i don't know much about BMW as my 330 is my first. But on all other car I have owned, I always change the water pump and themostat when it's time to change the timing belt. Save a shit load on labor.
Yeah, that would be standard on most cars, but these cars don't have a timing belt, they have a timing chain.

My car sometimes has a leak of a blue liquid right after I stop using my car on a hot day, but I don' think BMW's coolant is blue? Or is it?
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      10-05-2009, 10:29 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by John 070 View Post
In other words, replacing the coolant at recommended intervals is going to prolong the life of the pump as it has lubricating properties.
Except for the fact that these cars come with a lifetime coolant filled in them that doesn't ever need to be flushed and replaced according to BMW!
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      10-05-2009, 11:05 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodigl View Post
... but I don' think BMW's coolant is blue? Or is it?
Yes, it is blue.
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      10-05-2009, 11:10 AM   #18
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Yes, it is blue.
The coolant in my car definitely ain't blue!
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      10-05-2009, 11:11 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpsum View Post
i don't know much about BMW as my 330 is my first. But on all other car I have owned, I always change the water pump and themostat when it's time to change the timing belt. Save a shit load on labor.
BMW's are notorious for their weak cooling systems. I've had to completely overhaul the cooling system on every BMW I've owned (1 E36 & 2 E39 540's) anywhere between 60k miles and 100k miles. Not sure why the E90 will be any different, but time will tell! As has already been stated, your BMW doesn't use a timing belt.
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      10-05-2009, 12:38 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rambalu80 View Post
Except for the fact that these cars come with a lifetime coolant filled in them that doesn't ever need to be flushed and replaced according to BMW!
Nothing is lifetime. BMW did not magically defy physics with their coolant. Same goes for their transmission and differential oil. They all need to be changed eventually if you want to keep your car for a long time.
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      10-05-2009, 12:43 PM   #21
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Nothing is lifetime. BMW did not magically defy physics with their coolant. Same goes for their transmission and differential oil. They all need to be changed eventually if you want to keep your car for a long time.
I agree but that is what is stated on the owners manual. I contacted BMW USA about this, asking them how they defined the term "lifetime" and they didn't answer my question but asked me to contact the dealership. I asked the service manager at one of the local dealerships and he mentioned that BMW considers approximately 100,000 miles to be lifetime although he wouldn't put it in writing!
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      10-05-2009, 01:13 PM   #22
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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.
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