Thoughts on replacing the water pump....

[pgunter]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on replacing the water pump on the Z3's are.. I hear a lot of stories about 80K replacements and the dreaded pump failure taking out the radiator. For the cost what do you guys think ?

My 2.2 is on 85K and I am thinking of replacing the plastic impeller one with a metal replacement. Worth doing ?

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Always worth doing Paul, if only to get an idea of the internal state of your engine and of course for peace of mind. Make sure though that you replace the old one with a quality new one and flush out the engine and radiator before refitting.

Mike

 

[Dino D]

I've had mine from 86k to around 120k now and have over that time done thee following cooling system work:

Water pump (it was done shortly before I bought it but the new metal one started acting up too).
Viscous coupling x 2 (now disconnected)
Plastic fan on viscous coupling x 2
Thermostat and housing (housing cracked).
Radiator cap
Electric pusher fan (the one of the front of air in equipped cars).

Just need to do the radiator and the expansion tank as that's the oldest part of the system now.

If you can I'd get as much of it done at once as you can. it's not fun having various cooling niggles/steam eruptions interrupting play (or worse).

 

[g8jka]

Did mine a couple of weeks ago as it started making an horrendous noise from the bearing and did the thermostat and housing whilst at it. The old parts all looked like they had never been changed and were BMW stamped and surprisingly, unless they were changed before I had it they have lasted the best part of 133,000 miles and even if not I've done 50,000 in it and non have been changed in that time. The water pump was only about 18 quid of eBay and has a metal impeller and thermostat and housing was about £22. Should also be able to pick up new anti freeze for about £12 so for what they cost its a no brainer and its a simple job.

 

[jonco]

Worth changing for peace of mind especially if you intend keeping the car long term.
They usually come out quite easily but my M44 was a b****r to get out and then had a metal impeller anyway but at least I knew what I had afterwards.
Would recommend you go for OEM quality - I fitted a Myle from Motormec's ebay store.
Whilst you have it drained check condition of water hoses, expansion tank etc and change if any concerns.
Good Luck

 

[GazHyde]

It's also not so much the impeller failing but the bearings, which is what failed on my 2.2. The plastic impeller looked fine, but I don't have much previous service history so don't know how long it was on there. I'm guessing as the bearings failed it was original.

It's a pretty straightforward replacement procedure, but make sure you have all the tools to hand before starting - which is what I didn't do!

 

[MAURICE THE MARTIAN]

I would certainty do it, water pump, , thermostat, and newdrive belts etc especially before the eurotrip, did all mine as a precaution, even changed mi rad last xmas, at 85000, mls,
M

 

[andyglym]

Getting my water pump changed over the XMAS period Paul, thermostat and decent coolant too. I've got the parts and a local mechanic will fit it for me (not big and brave enough yet for that job). Done 75k miles and don't know the history so just a precaution.

 

[zedonist]

Just done mine Paul, its all about looking after the cooling system and its not the miles its the time it has spent soaked in water which is about sixteen years...

 

[Redline]

Always worth changing, not for the impeller/pump but for the bearing. It's that which, if it fails, is likely to cause more serious or catastrophic problems. When changing that it makes sense to change belts thermostat and anything else that will have worn. Not worth scrimping on the cost of parts compared to the cost of time to revisit later or the potential cost of subsequent failure. Once you've done them you can then forget them for a few years.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Replaced mine a couple of months ago as the bearing had some play in it. Found it easier to remove the radiator to gain extra workspace and then gave the rad and block a good flush with a hose. Surprisingly after 88000 miles all components were very clean and in good nick. New metal impellor Meyle pump and new belt fitted (from EBay) then filled with 50/50 antifreeze (Bluecol OE 48) / water mix. Took a couple of hours to do.