Water pump failure?

bazza190 · Post by **bazza190** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 9:19 am

Having just replaced the rear brake pipes and flexis, the car decided to reward me this morning by starting to overheat. I switched it off about 3/4 up the gauge. Left the ignition on and the gauge started dropping quickly. Settled on normal so drove 1/2 mile, started rising again. Repeated the procedure and made it 1/4 mile home.
Does this sound like an intermittent pump failure?
Level was ok when checked at the weekend. Mileage is 81k, no record of pump being replaced before.
TIA

Barrie

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 9:39 am

I'd be replacing pump and stat if no evidence of it ever being done..it is around that mileage they tend to crap out, most replace as precaution before any symptoms

bazza190 · Post by **bazza190** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 9:41 am

I agree, just want to be sure before I order them. Been an expensive month! I am pretty certain the pump is either intermittently failing or struggling.

Toed64 · Post by **Toed64** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:53 am

The electric water pump on my N55 135i (the same system) failed at well under 50,000miles and under 5 years old, but my 130i pump was still going strong when the car was 10 years old. There was a lot of chat about this on BabyBMW and quite a few members stated that their pumps were still going fine at 120,000 miles. Consequently, I'm not sure what service interval we should consider when replacing the pump and stat as preventative maintenance, unless we choose to do so every 5 years...(or less)...or just accept that the bits will fail at some point. Thoughts?

The initial symptoms of pump failure on the 135i were that the radiator fan, which had variable speed control, started whizzing up to max speed and then dropping back down within moments and at unexpected times. Within 30 minutes of noticing this, the temperature started climbing, so I switched off and did as you did, I let it cool down and limped it home very quietly and without cooking it.

bazza190 · Post by **bazza190** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:01 am

Pump and stat ordered, cheapest by far was from Germany even including the expected VAT and customs charges. At least it will be peace of mind if nothing else

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:21 pm

If anyone is looking for a really cheap pump, Amazon have a Chinese one for £58 (£71 minus 18% voucher)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08 ... UTF8&psc=1

I know most people will want Pierburg, but for this price you could replace it 4 times and still be quids in.
You could argue it may not last as long as OEM, but IMO you couldn't get much more unreliable than the Pierburg.

davidmudley12 · Post by **davidmudley12** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:21 pm

bazza190 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:01 am Pump and stat ordered, cheapest by far was from Germany even including the expected VAT and customs charges. At least it will be peace of mind if nothing else

Can you share the link, I’m tempted to order and change mine just in case. Thanks

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:23 pm

Zulu4 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:21 pm If anyone is looking for a really cheap pump, Amazon have a Chinese one for £58 (£71 minus 18% voucher)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08 ... UTF8&psc=1

I know most people will want Pierburg, but for this price you could replace it 4 times and still be quids in.
You could argue it may not last as long as OEM, but IMO you couldn't get much more unreliable than the Pierburg.

But on the downside, that's four times as many chances of overheating your engine.

Z4paul · Post by **Z4paul** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 4:55 pm

davidmudley12 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:21 pm
bazza190 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:01 am Pump and stat ordered, cheapest by far was from Germany even including the expected VAT and customs charges. At least it will be peace of mind if nothing else
Can you share the link, I’m tempted to order and change mine just in case. Thanks

Yes, that would be helpful. Whilst mine seems fine i have looked around for a pierburg replacement (2.0 /n46 engine) and whilst autodoc suggest they do, on a google search, i couldn't find one on the site. Any suggestions very welcome...

Zulu4 · Post by **Zulu4** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 5:49 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 3:23 pm But on the downside, that's four times as many chances of overheating your engine.

True.
Anyone on here used a non-OEM water pump to attest as to how reliable they are ?

Benderloch · Post by **Benderloch** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:17 pm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254607866699

This looks like a good price ?

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:23 pm

Benderloch wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:17 pm https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254607866699

This looks like a good price ?

That does look like a good deal.

The pump died on my 1st E86 at 60K miles but my 2nd was still on the original when I sold it at 91K - lifespan seems to be pretty random!

Thrustyjust · Post by **Thrustyjust** » Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:49 pm

Mine was replaced just before I bought the car at 60k miles. Similar to Mr T's above.

bazza190 · Post by **bazza190** » Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:40 am

Benderloch wrote: ↑Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:17 pm https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254607866699

This looks like a good price ?

That's the one I ordered, should still come in cheaper than a UK sourced one.

bazza190 · Post by **bazza190** » Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:25 am

Pump and stat arrived via TNT this morning, surprisingly no vat/duty/courier charges to pay. So £231 for Pierburg pump and Mahle/Behr stat, delivered is a really decent price!

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