[biscut]

I've been reading a lot on here and it sure does seem like it would be a good idea to do some coolant servicing. Just picked up 328XI 08 with 73k. I understand BMW only coolant but should I do the pump also? What brand pump is ok? Is that BMW only part too? And hoses or do they generalyl last a while?

Any advice is much appreciated. I just did the trans case, front and rear diff and ATF service. Cooling system is next on my list.

[jamba]

I've always replaced water pumps as they fail. I could be wrong though, but that's how I treated my other cars.


I think a simple coolant service will suffice, then just replace the pump when it fails

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by jhoneil

I've always replaced water pumps as they fail. I could be wrong though, but that's how I treated my other cars.

I think a simple coolant service will suffice, then just replace the pump when it fails

+ that would be my advice. Especially since: 1) the ECU goes into limp mode if the pump fails/an overheat happens - this saves the engine (unlike past models). 2) the pump costs almost $500 which makes it a lot less easy to justify replacement on mileage.

[F3thirty5]

I know so many people with Water Pump Failure at or around 60K miles I can't even count them anymore. It happened to me on the hwy. After towing, etc. the bill was around $1,500. Changing coolant won't help. Its an electronic failure. Good Luck!!

[Jeffman]

Mike Miller of BMWCCA Roundel fame recommends coolant replacement at 30,000 miles, which I did, and a prophylactic coolant pump change at 60,000 miles, which I will. ...He's the man! I once posted a number of his recommendations here someplace - just search.

[Rickygst]

I'm an 81k on the same pump. I'm sure it will happen soon but I will wait, I think

[biscut]

Looks like I'll be waiting for the pump to fail! Just turned 74k and found out from the friend I bought it from he has the extended warranty to 100k.

Sounds like a drain/fill of coolant will be my cooling system maintenance.

[ccraig13]

I have almost 100k on mine and the pump hasn't failed yet.

[freon480]

my pump went at 134k had i done it at every 60k. i would have wasted $600. im at 185k now and still will not change until it fails. a light came on immediately when mine failed and ut shut the engine down. i woukd say 50k later no damsge was done by waiting til it fails.

[Jeffman]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

I have almost 100k on mine and the pump hasn't failed yet.

Did you ever change the coolant?

[Jeffman]

Originally Posted by freon480

my pump went at 134k had i done it at every 60k. i would have wasted $600. im at 185k now and still will not change until it fails. a light came on immediately when mine failed and ut shut the engine down. i woukd say 50k later no damsge was done by waiting til it fails.

How about you? Did you ever change the coolant? I'm wondering whether the coolant changes every 30K will increase pump life? I'm guessing it should, but have no data except for you guys telling us what kind if maintenance you've done. Thanks.

[Jeffman]

Originally Posted by Rickygst

I'm an 81k on the same pump. I'm sure it will happen soon but I will wait, I think

Did you ever change the coolant? Trying to figure whether coolant changes every 30K miles or so will increase pump life. Thanks!

[Casca]

I changed my coolant at 90k miles or so. I got the car at 57k. Whether the car had coolant changes before that, I dunno. The coolant that came out looked in great condition. I doubt putting new coolant in made any difference. While the pump usually dies because of electrical reasons, the electrical failure was probably heat related. The pump is kept cool with the coolant it pumps and probably airflow.

My pump didn't fail. My thermostat failed and I decided to replace the pump with the thermostat since I was 110k miles. I'd recommend keeping your pump clean to ensure it can cool itself, but my pump wasn't really dirty (and it never actually failed). Other than that, I dunno. It's electrical, it's not going to last forever. It's too expensive to just replace on a schedule, but the thermostat behind it that is more likely to fail is a pain to change out and requires taking the pump out.

While I'd have liked to driven and used the pump until it actually failed, the chances it fails in a spot too far to limp home and in heavy traffic resulting in me paying for a tow that cost more than a new pump is something I want to avoid. However, it's electrical so the new pump I put in may not even last as long as what my old pump could have done if I had left it in.

[ccraig13]

Originally Posted by Jeffman

Did you ever change the coolant?

Yes, the dealer changed it when they replaced my cylinder head due to the "ticking" issue. I had 68k on the clock when they changed it.

[Jeffman]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

Yes, the dealer changed it when they replaced my cylinder head due to the "ticking" issue. I had 68k on the clock when they changed it.

That's one good data point, folks. Craig changed his coolant at 68K miles and he still has his original water pump at 100K. Good job Ccraig! Any other people want to add to the data set?

[Jeffman]

Originally Posted by Casca

I changed my coolant at 90k miles or so. I got the car at 57k. Whether the car had coolant changes before that, I dunno. The coolant that came out looked in great condition. I doubt putting new coolant in made any difference. While the pump usually dies because of electrical reasons, the electrical failure was probably heat related. The pump is kept cool with the coolant it pumps and probably airflow.

My pump didn't fail. My thermostat failed and I decided to replace the pump with the thermostat since I was 110k miles. I'd recommend keeping your pump clean to ensure it can cool itself, but my pump wasn't really dirty (and it never actually failed). Other than that, I dunno. It's electrical, it's not going to last forever. It's too expensive to just replace on a schedule, but the thermostat behind it that is more likely to fail is a pain to change out and requires taking the pump out.

While I'd have liked to driven and used the pump until it actually failed, the chances it fails in a spot too far to limp home and in heavy traffic resulting in me paying for a tow that cost more than a new pump is something I want to avoid. However, it's electrical so the new pump I put in may not even last as long as what my old pump could have done if I had left it in.

Hey Casca, thanks for sharing. I agree we don't want to be stranded along the road or pay for a tow. As we don't know the full history of your car it's hard to say how to handle your "data". Thanks tho.

[idspeedskater]

Originally Posted by Jeffman

That's one good data point, folks. Craig changed his coolant at 68K miles and he still has his original water pump at 100K. Good job Ccraig! Any other people want to add to the data set?

Changed coolant around 70K and am at ~108k on the original water pump (though it may be trying to die given some recent quirks)

[tennis_pr0]

How long do you plan on keeping the car? I don;t know much about the life span of the pump on the 328 engine, but if it likely to fail soon, I would just get it changed. It will have to be changed eventually, question is whether you want to do it as a preventative measure or wait until you are broken down on the road and need a tow.

[ajsalida]

You guys understand a electric WP for these cars is like $400-500 not including Tstat? Plus the one time use bolts. Not like my old e36 where, sure, replace the pump every 50k miles no problem.

[biscut]

I won't replace mine until the 100k extended warranty is up....BUT next week I will be draining the coolant from the radiator and block and repalcing with fresh BMW blue & distilled water. That will be 75k.

Do the replacement pumps have the plastic impeller like the OEM?

[Jeffman]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

How long do you plan on keeping the car? I don;t know much about the life span of the pump on the 328 engine, but if it likely to fail soon, I would just get it changed. It will have to be changed eventually, question is whether you want to do it as a preventative measure or wait until you are broken down on the road and need a tow.

I plan on keeping my car a loooong time...kid #1 wants to go to Stanford next year.... kid #2 is now talking MIT ...

[X.X.I.V]

Mine died at 72k I've had the car since may '12 with 34k at the time, drive mostly hwy miles....
CPO took care of it....