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Thread: Water Pump bad?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Apex, NC
    Posts
    471

    Default Water Pump bad?

    I'm pretty sure this is another water pump failing, but let me describe it and see what you guys think.
    • Coolant temp went above normal for a couple days, to about the 3/4 mark, but not into the red
    • Top radiator hose hot, bottom hose cool
    • Noise like a bad bearing that follows engine speed coming from front of engine
    • Seems to be getting slowly worse, needle went just to the red today


    If this is a bad water pump, this will be the 6th water pump on the car!! But on the bright side, this last pump lasted over 4 years and 60k miles - so they're lasting longer!
    Scott
    '93 525iT 245k miles (sold, but not forgotten)
    '11 TSX Sport Wagon
    '00 328i
    '78 MGB
    '08 Saab Aero


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    4,894

    Default

    Pretty good chance your waterpump is bad. Thermostat is also possibly bad too.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Windy City
    Posts
    606

    Default

    6th water pump? Are you going cheap and buying those discontinued plastic impeller water pumps? LOL... When my water pump failed, I didn't have temp issue. Just the engine started to shake. But at 6th one, you should know all the symptoms by now. Yeah, I would check thermostat and water pump.
    RICK
    BMW 1995 525i (Alpine White)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    9,250

    Default

    Scotty
    I have replaced the water pump on my E32 750 after 22 !!! years now and that only as preventive maintenance, as it was still working fine.
    Buy a good one and that will work, but also - and that I did years ago - change the belt tensioner pulley and preferably the tensioner.
    These are wear parts and have to be replaced after so many years of daily use.
    And do not tighten the belt tensioner too much, that - in my opinion, I might be wrong- also causes earlier bearing wear on the water pump.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Apex, NC
    Posts
    471

    Default

    No, the last 2 or 3 have been metal impellors I got from BMA. Tensioner and idler have been replaced too. (actually, once I changed the pump as preventive as I was doing everything else cooling related too, so I guess that doesn't count.) Cooling system has been the achilles heel on this car, and yes I use BMW (or mercedes) coolant.
    Scott
    '93 525iT 245k miles (sold, but not forgotten)
    '11 TSX Sport Wagon
    '00 328i
    '78 MGB
    '08 Saab Aero


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    4,894

    Default

    Insanity... in all those times you changed teh waterpump... you changed the thermostats?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Central Coast, CA
    Posts
    657

    Default

    That seems VERY extensive in the water pump department!

    I have over 200k and have changed my pump once

    when the original exploded and ruined the radiator...

    The only other change was the radiator less than 5k due to the upper neck breaking off...

    You may want to stop buying from BMA and come to my retailer

    AutohausAZ

    Not only are their parts cheaper than their competitors, they offer FREE fast shipping and the costumer service is AWESOME!

    GL on your next and hopefully final change!
    http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=3314&dateline=1239168  877

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    335

    Default

    Is something unbalanced on your fan or fan clutch? Wobbling your waterpumps into oblivion?

    1990 535im 421,000 miles, 1987 325is, 1989 325is, 1990 m3, 1991 318is, 2001 X5 3.0

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    446

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BMW4LIFE View Post


    You may want to stop buying from BMA and come to my retailer

    AutohausAZ

    Not only are their parts cheaper than their competitors, they offer FREE fast shipping and the costumer service is AWESOME!

    GL on your next and hopefully final change!
    I buy from both BMA & AutohausAZ. Shipping is free on orders of $50 or more at either website. I find some items cheaper at BMA & some at AutoAZ but Patrick at BMA has always treated me very well & usually comes up with the best pricing.
    90 535im
    02 R1100S, 87 R100S
    76 R90/S,73 R75/5
    Alfa Romeos- 65 Giulia Spider Veloce
    & 66 Duetto 1600 Spider

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Central Coast, CA
    Posts
    657

    Default

    I was kidding about buying from BMA by the way!

    But I seriously do hope you stop having to buy water pumps!
    http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=3314&dateline=1239168  877

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