Water pump and thermostat how to E86?

Dark Diggler

Dark Diggler

Member
 Yarkshire
Can anyone point me in the direction of a how to video for the water pump and thermostat for N52 engine?

My local Indy bmw specialist just looked me in the eye and said it was a 3hr/3.5hr job and really awkward to get to, from what little I have found I am questioning both of those statements. I have the pump and stat so it’s just labour they are quoting, does anyone know how long it should take an experienced bmw Indy? My car has just done 70k and is in really good nick underneath according to the MOT tester 300 miles ago.

So I think I should have a go myself so a good how to would’ve great, any help or advice welcomed :thumbsup:
 
I haven't actually done this job or watched videos. But done many jobs around that area, I can't see how it would take more than half an hour to change the water pump itself. Maybe an hour if you include draining the fluid and lifting the car onto axle stands.
 
There's nothing in the way except the plastic engine undertray (trivial to remove). Water pump even bleeds itself, so very easy. 1 hour max for a competent garage.
 
Access is much harder on the N52 in some of the other models like the 3 series - I would place a small bet he is assuming the Z4 is the same but it's not. Much easier on our cars thankfully.
 
Thanks for the replies, I have a general consensus then that it’s an hour at the most, i think I will have a stab at it based on what I’ve seen in the last few hour and the guidance here.
Even if he was thinking of n52 in another guise, 3 hrs+ still seems on the piss take end of things which is a real shame as I thought they were ok prior to today. He did go further and say 210+vat or 200 for cash. He has just lost a customer.
 
When I took my undertray off to change the front ARB, then saw how easy the water pump could be changed. Nothing looked complex to do. Luckily mines only 3k miles old done by the previous owner :D
 
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