Water pump failure?

B

bazza190

Member
 Central Scotland
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 :thumbsup:
 
bazza190 said:
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 :thumbsup:
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Can you share the link, I’m tempted to order and change mine just in case. Thanks
 
Zulu4 said:
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/B0887VLPBY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=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.
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But on the downside, that's four times as many chances of overheating your engine.
 
davidmudley12 said:
bazza190 said:
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 :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Can you share the link, I’m tempted to order and change mine just in case. Thanks
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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... :thumbsup:
 
enuff_zed said:
But on the downside, that's four times as many chances of overheating your engine.
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True.
Anyone on here used a non-OEM water pump to attest as to how reliable they are ?
 
Benderloch said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254607866699

This looks like a good price ?
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That does look like a good deal. :thumbsup:

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!
 
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!
 
bazza190 said:
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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That is a real bargain!

In 2014 my Indy ordered a new one for my E86 from BMW - it was just over £500! :o

In 2018 when my E91 325i needed one he bought it elsewhere for around £300 so £231 for pump and thermostat is fantastic! I've saved the link for my 330i just in case. :lol:
 
bazza190 said:
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!
Click to expand...
Mine arrived this morning and same here, no vat and duty payment request, unless it follows later ??
Even if that happens though you can’t argue with an impeccably packaged 6 day delivery from the Czech Republic. Great service from the seller.
 
Anyone no of a good write up or how to do diy on the thermostat & water pump on these engines specifically ?
I need to do this on my E63 630i as at 70k miles now which is danger territory 😬
 
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