E90 325i Water pump died - for your record :P

Just so people have a list of when these things go, mine finally died tonight:
@
136,000 kilometers/84,000 miles

Normally wouldn't really be bothers by it and would change it myself, but I need the car fast so I took it to my local indy and I'm scared to even guess the price (I'm in Australia). I'm bracing myself for anything between $1000-$2000.

As far as I'm concerned the pump has lasted long enough, car is now 7 years old. 7 years is a very long time for anything electric. Just a bit disappointed I can't wait for the part from europe and do the change myself, would only cost me $500 damn you busy life :P

I would recommend to any other e90 owners to just change the pump as part of maintenance at 120,000 Kilometers/75,000 miles at the latest.

in the US its anywhere from 650-1200 give or take a little.


have you ever chagned the coolant?

Originally Posted by Rival

in the US its anywhere from 650-1200 give or take a little.


have you ever chagned the coolant?

I changed the coolant at 120,000Km's, I bought the car used with 115,000Km's and I'm pretty certain it was never done. I've been having a bit of read and it seems to indicate that changing the coolant does nothing to prolong the life of the pump, simply because it's the electrics that fail and not the mechanical side of the pump. I will update this when I find out how much this is going to cost me for all future Australians :P

I plan to change mine at 70K miles just in case and keep the used pump in the car like I do now with the new pump. It isn't a matter of if but when and if you have the part when it happens you are miles ahead...

Originally Posted by fun2drive

I plan to change mine at 70K miles just in case and keep the used pump in the car like I do now with the new pump. It isn't a matter of if but when and if you have the part when it happens you are miles ahead...

Why would you keep the used pump at all ?

Totally agree though about changing the pump early.

2006 are worse than 2007+. The 335i WP replacement are common.

The 328i cases (N52 2007+) are relatively rare.

A few e90posters reported that the WP throws low-speed warning codes months in advance.

Keeping a used pump is better than no pump at all where I live. There are distance well over 150 miles with no BMW dealership so if it fails plain and simple you are screwed. I would rather put a used pump on and be on my way than get it flatbedded anyplace that Joe-Bob works on it.
In a pinch any used part is better than no part...

Originally Posted by fun2drive

Keeping a used pump is better than no pump at all where I live. There are distance well over 150 miles with no BMW dealership so if it fails plain and simple you are screwed. I would rather put a used pump on and be on my way than get it flatbedded anyplace that Joe-Bob works on it.
In a pinch any used part is better than no part...

Makes sense, how could I know how far you live :P My thought was that I would never put a used one in, it's not a quick task of changing them.

Good Luck!! I am very interested to know the cost on these at a good Indie.

Originally Posted by xxE92

Good Luck!! I am very interested to know the cost on these at a good Indie.

I gave a local guy a call for the part, he quoted me $500 + $15 ish for the screws and it will be here in 2 days from singapore. Very impressed, told him to order it: partsagent.com.au

Still haven't heard from Indy, Will update when I get costs for parts and labour. I don't think indy will be able to match the price of pump, even though he is the best Indy I've had, but anyways will find out soon and let everyone know.

My already hit the 92k mark! Idk if the previous owner already change the pump prior. So I just order a new one and keep it around for spare in case the pump fail. Like keeping a spare tire

My 2006 330xi is 138k miles w/original pump, I guess I saved myself $700 for not changing it at 70k miles.

Originally Posted by fb88

My 2006 330xi is 138k miles w/original pump, I guess I saved myself $700 for not changing it at 70k miles.

When it goes out you will change your mind :P

Indy called me and told me it's the expansion tank cap and not the pump. I'm skeptical, he is ordering me a new cap. There was coolant over the engine bay, but I assumed somehow it got forced out by the failing pump. Also, I've ordered the pump anyways and will keep it on standby.

Interesting notes: First got a yellow temperature sign then a minute after a red one, pulled over for 5 minutes turned the car on again, straight aways, yellow then red. Never in this time did I get a low coolant warning light. I drove on the red light probably for ten minutes as gently as i could to the mechanic.

Originally Posted by fun2drive

Keeping a used pump is better than no pump at all where I live. There are distance well over 150 miles with no BMW dealership so if it fails plain and simple you are screwed. I would rather put a used pump on and be on my way than get it flatbedded anyplace that Joe-Bob works on it.
In a pinch any used part is better than no part...

keeping the pump is not a good idea. Without coolant the impeller will sieze up in no time. The service manual says that if you are re-installing the pump, keep the pump chamber full of coolant while the pump is out. The only way you can do that is with it sitting on a bench.

This is true, even says so in the Bentley Manual, apparently even a short time without coolant, will render the pump useless.

Originally Posted by aleks001

This is true, even says so in the Bentley Manual, apparently even a short time without coolant, will render the pump useless.

Do new ones come in a bag of coolant?

If that was true the new pump in my trunk now would be bad. I think what they mean is that if you operate the pump without fluid it will be ruined as in overheated and most likely overspeed the impellor.
There is no way a pump changed out used or now is harmed sitting in the trunk of a car. It is an electric motor driving a impellor sitting in a phenolic housing. Tell me how sitting in a box it will be harmed?
My new Contential pump is packaged in plastic bubble pack and is completely dry and not sealed whatsoever...

Originally Posted by fun2drive

If that was true the new pump in my trunk now would be bad. I think what they mean is that if you operate the pump without fluid it will be ruined as in overheated and most likely overspeed the impellor.
There is no way a pump changed out used or now is harmed sitting in the trunk of a car. It is an electric motor driving a impellor sitting in a phenolic housing. Tell me how sitting in a box it will be harmed?
My new Contential pump is packaged in plastic bubble pack and is completely dry and not sealed whatsoever...

Ok, I've opened up the manual and this is what it says so take it as you will because I
really don't know enough about the pump to comment.


CAUTION -
If coolant pump is to be reused, fill with mixture of 50% antifreeze and 50% distilled water immediately after removing and plug openings to avoid contamination.

It may be to prevent internal corrosion since it had fluid in it prior vs. a new one that may be dry from the get-go. Just my guess.

84000 miles is a good life span... my car is 26,000km so still have a bit to go

My pump died on the way to work today. I have just less than 75K miles on my 2008 335xi coupe. I have owned it since new, and it has been perfectly maintained. Dealer quoted $1255 to replace.

When it died, that was it. No warning signs. I couldn't even drive it more than a few hundred yards without stopping. I had it towed to the dealer.

For those looking for price comparison info, I had my waterpump and thermostat replaced at a BMW indy for ~$1100, about 6 months ago.

whats the warranty period on new pumps? yr/mileage.

Originally Posted by aleks001

Indy called me and told me it's the expansion tank cap and not the pump. I'm skeptical, he is ordering me a new cap. There was coolant over the engine bay, but I assumed somehow it got forced out by the failing pump. Also, I've ordered the pump anyways and will keep it on standby.

Interesting notes: First got a yellow temperature sign then a minute after a red one, pulled over for 5 minutes turned the car on again, straight aways, yellow then red. Never in this time did I get a low coolant warning light. I drove on the red light probably for ten minutes as gently as i could to the mechanic.

How did the Expansion Cap repair turn out?