Facelift Water Pump and Thermostat

[enuff_zed]

Anyone know how much coolant/antifreeze is required once it’s been drained? 4 litres be enough?

I would get yourself 5 litres of concentrate.
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Also, where did you get this information from?

I was lucky enough to gain access to NewTIS before they clamped down on it.

 

[HazArc]

Water pump and thermostat replaced. Codes no longer active and cooling fan behaving as it should. Quite a straight forward job to be fair. Cheers all

 

[enuff_zed]

Water pump and thermostat replaced. Codes no longer active and cooling fan behaving as it should. Quite a straight forward job to be fair. Cheers all

And the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

 

[HazArc]

Water pump and thermostat replaced. Codes no longer active and cooling fan behaving as it should. Quite a straight forward job to be fair. Cheers all

And the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

EXACTLY!

 

[Bmw Enthusiast]

Good job on the work. My Pierburg water pump is due to arrive any day now for my N52 Z4. Just want to check some potential problem points please. Did you use an impact wrench on the pump bolts or did they come out easily by hand? Did the cooling system bleed up OK just using the bleed procedure or did you do a vacuum fill? Any tips greatly appreciated!

 

[enuff_zed]

Good job on the work. My Pierburg water pump is due to arrive any day now for my N52 Z4. Just want to check some potential problem points please. Did you use an impact wrench on the pump bolts or did they come out easily by hand? Did the cooling system bleed up OK just using the bleed procedure or did you do a vacuum fill? Any tips greatly appreciated!

Honestly, as an old school aircraft technician, Bin the impact wrench and use hand tools. Sacrifice speed for feel!
The bleed process will work fine. Get the front end raised up enough to be able to get underneath to access the pump, set the heating to fully hot before you start and it should all bleed fine.

 

[Bmw Enthusiast]

Fantastic, thanks for the info. Guess working in the Z4 is easy compared to the aircraft! Going to be a while before I start the water pump job. Will post an update, hope goes as well as your experience. Cheers.

 

[zedwheels]

I too am interested in this post because my Si is currently just starting onto 73K, no issues yet but wondered should I wait until 80K plus before changing or is it worth doing now?? At what sort mileage do they usually fail??

 

[Bmw Enthusiast]

My car has done 89k on the original 2008 pump. It's working fine, but I'm getting a code on the pump so don't want to leave it until it fails. Autodoc had Pierburg pumps on offer last week for £215....alot less than usual. Got a stat and connecting hose as well.

 

[zedwheels]

I was just on Ebay and they had one there for £233.98 that included the thermostat and new fixing screws so I placed an order now, has free delivery from Germany with 30 day return. I wont change it straight away but it will be ready to go on.

 

[Bmw Enthusiast]

A good deal. You might get the job done before I do. Again posting any tips or pit falls would be great. I've watched loads of videos on doing the work and how to guides. Reasonably confident. It's broken bolts and stripped bolts on older cars that worry me. My head gasket job had just that problem!

 

[enuff_zed]

I was just on Ebay and they had one there for £233.98 that included the thermostat and new fixing screws so I placed an order now, has free delivery from Germany with 30 day return. I wont change it straight away but it will be ready to go on.

Be warned, you will probably receive a bill for import taxes on that as well. I did.

 

[zedwheels]

I'm no good at mechanical jobs like these, so I will be using a car club friend who manages a garage fleet of vehicles and pay him to sort it properly. I usually stay with him while he does his magic and maybe I can video it on my mobile. It's not going to be anytime soon though if that happens. He does a lot of my car jobs and better than any main dealer.

 

[zedwheels]

I was just on Ebay and they had one there for £233.98 that included the thermostat and new fixing screws so I placed an order now, has free delivery from Germany with 30 day return. I wont change it straight away but it will be ready to go on.

Be warned, you will probably receive a bill for import taxes on that as well. I did.

Oh yes didn't think of that one, advert did say Free Delivery but we will see, done now.

 

[Rucky]

Bit late now but when the electric pump is running there is a continuous flow into the header tank with the capoff. It is bled when it runs free of bubbles. Iwhen I changed mypump I opted to change the main hoses too. The Orings get a set in them and are prone to leak once disconnected and reconnected.

 

[zedwheels]

I was just on Ebay and they had one there for £233.98 that included the thermostat and new fixing screws so I placed an order now, has free delivery from Germany with 30 day return. I wont change it straight away but it will be ready to go on.

Be warned, you will probably receive a bill for import taxes on that as well. I did.

You were right I've been notified that my order for the pump has arrived in the country and now have a bill for an extra £63.35 for customs and taxes :evil: Oh well done now if I was to send it back I would have delivery charges!!! Live and Learn they say

 

[enuff_zed]

I was just on Ebay and they had one there for £233.98 that included the thermostat and new fixing screws so I placed an order now, has free delivery from Germany with 30 day return. I wont change it straight away but it will be ready to go on.

Be warned, you will probably receive a bill for import taxes on that as well. I did.

You were right I've been notified that my order for the pump has arrived in the country and now have a bill for an extra £63.35 for customs and taxes :evil: Oh well done now if I was to send it back I would have delivery charges!!! Live and Learn they say

Works out about the same price as Autodoc, so you've not really lost.

 

[zedwheels]

No can't complain just under £300 all in. I just looked at the same item, same package on E bay and that was priced at just under £300 now and thats plus costs to get here, so all good.

 

[HazArc]

Good job on the work. My Pierburg water pump is due to arrive any day now for my N52 Z4. Just want to check some potential problem points please. Did you use an impact wrench on the pump bolts or did they come out easily by hand? Did the cooling system bleed up OK just using the bleed procedure or did you do a vacuum fill? Any tips greatly appreciated!

Only just seeing this... the bolts for the thermostat and pump all came off easily with a standard ratchet wrench.

As enuff_zed said, (I'm also an aircraft tech), always use a standard wrench you can 'feel' before attempting an impact wrench!

Initial system bleed was fine, then done the bleed procedure at the end with the battery on charge. Afterwards I topped up the system and drove around a little. The cooling system needed another top up afterwards but hasn't lost any since. So no leaks!

Hardest part was getting the hoses off the connections without damaging the rubber. Other than that, it's a very straight forward job with loads of room to work with once the car is up on axle stands.

 

[Rucky]

Bit late but - NO - Do NOT use an impact wrench on an N52 - they will be Alloy bolts. A socket and ratchet will be sufficient. Your pump should have come with new bolts - mine did.
Only uise an Impoact wrench on steel bolts and only if you cannot already loosen them with a regular Tbar.
A bit of WD40 the night before or apply WD40 then go for a cup of tea for half an hour