DIY for electric water pump replacement?

[wwu123]

Old thread, but just to add another data point on water pump failure:

Just had the water pump on our 2007 E70 go out at about 84,000 miles. Wife got it home, but the fan was making loud noises continuously. The dealer is only about 2.5 miles away, so I drove it over cold, coolants temps climbed to about 220 F just at the very last block, but that's just a bit over normal.

$1600 to replace the water pump, another $450 to also do the thermostat at the same time! Ouch! But now fixed and running steady at about 205-210 F.

[ard]

Wow. Did you get a reach around with that?

[blue dragon]

Originally Posted by ard

Wow. Did you get a reach around with that?

At those prices, he should have.

[djbock]

I agree, pump went out in our '11 2 days ago, 74k miles; BMW pump and thermostat $775 out the door for both installed.

[lordshin808]

Originally Posted by djbock

I agree, pump went out in our '11 2 days ago, 74k miles; BMW pump and thermostat $775 out the door for both installed.

must be at an Indy shop? or did you DIY??

[djbock]

Originally Posted by lordshin808

must be at an Indy shop? or did you DIY??

Indy, he used to be a tech at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. Bonus is that he is 10 miles from my house vs 90 to the dealer.

Couldn't justify DIY for the $160 in labor he charged.

[lt2mc]

An old but excellent thread, Thanks Ohio for taking the time to post your work. I am getting ready to do the job my self now, pump and Tstat (w/bolts) on order. I do have a diagnostic question though. My vehicle (07, 3.0, @79k) is not showing the same symptoms. My symptoms are; coolant leak (~1l per day) from the pump/Tstat area, 2 low coolant alarms, and the loud fan noise. At 79k I am going to install the parts no matter what, I am just doing extra research to plan for the worst. Anybody have an additional thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[djbock]

lt2mc, the loud fan noise was the indicator for me. Lasted for about a week then the day I was on the way to my Indy to have him check it out, the pump gave out about a mile from his shop.

[lt2mc]

Thanks DJ, that makes me feel a little better about my diag. I thought the fan sounded odd when my wife was backing out the car and I saw a small coolant puddle. I dead-lined the vehicle so it wouldn't totally fail at an inopportune time... now comes the fun part. Thanks

[mouncer]

Just wanted to add to this post since I have done this repair twice (don't ask). Anyway, I strongly suggest take the extra step tp remove the radiator, its only 4 additional screws and 2 more hoses to remove. By taking out the radiator it made it MUCH easier to access and get leverage on the top water pump bolt, and I was able to manipulate the hoses onto the thermostat much easier. Also, if you remove the radiator, you don't have to take off the passenger front tire and cover for the wheelwell which was a HUGE PIA the first time I did it!! This also lessens the chance you will puncture the radiator which trust me is NOT CHEAP!!