2 hour wait for AA

[Dalek]

Sat on the side of the road waiting for the AA.
2 hour wait apparently.
Pistachio was behaving really well when suddenly a very strong smell of burning and a LOT of smoke pouring out from under the bonnet. Pulled into a layby a bit quick and shut it all down.
Too scared to look under the bonnet!!

 

[mrscalex]

Oh dear. What sort of smoke/smell was it?

Did any reach the cabin?

Very unusual for a 6 cylinder to suffer a major mechanical failure like that.

The first thing that springs to mind is electrical. Have you replaced any fuses lately, especially with cheap parts?

 

[Mazza]

Really sorry to hear you have a problem. Hope it’s nothing too serious. And you get recovered ASAP.

From the title, thought that you had been on the 10% ale again

 

[Dalek]

Really sorry to hear you have a problem. Hope it’s nothing too serious. And you get recovered ASAP.

From the title, thought that you had been on the 10% ale again

I could do with a bottle or two after the day I have had!

 

[pgunter]

Thats not great. Did you go through and deep water ? or have the mice been in the works.

 

[Dalek]

I am now home and Pistachio is in the workshop at the local garage.
The problem was the water pump. It partially seized causing the belt to jam which was where all the smoke came from. The fan is also loose and rattling about a bit.
Hopefully all fixed in the next couple of days.
Thank goodness it was not as serious as I first thought.
I have asked them to ensure the new pump is all metal and not plastic!

 

[Rudyrov]

I think you should take a look!

 

[Stevo7682]

Sorry to hear about your problems.
Have you opened the bonnet yet take a look.
What did the smoke smell off .

 

[Stevo7682]

Just read your update as well you stopped when you did if it had all came apart damage may have been worse

 

[colb]

Wow! could have been a lot worse. All of a sudden or was their any noise before it let go?
Maybe a timely warning to all of us that water pump replacement would be a wise move given the age of our cars now.
What was the milage on yours?

 

[mrscalex]

Well the water pump was my other immediate thought. A lucky escape as they can do a lot of damage sometimes, even on a Z3. On some cars like my old Alhambra it’s terminal as it runs off the timing belt.

This is why water pump replacement should be high up the list of any owner. I suspect if yours was plastic it may even have been original? Have to say anyone with an original water pump on a 20 year old car is sitting on a time bomb. Would suggest replacement every 4 or 5 years maybe.

Don’t forget to get the thermostat changed while you are in there. And use decent makes. Not Eurocarparts chocolate teapots.

 

[Dalek]

Wow! could have been a lot worse. All of a sudden or was their any noise before it let go?
Maybe a timely warning to all of us that water pump replacement would be a wise move given the age of our cars now.
What was the milage on yours?

No, there was no noise or any other warning! The mileage is just over 100,000.

 

[Dalek]

A sight none of us want to see with our cars...

 

[Mazza]

A real pain, but could have been worse.
Local to me @Ryan atkins , has just had a similar event on his 2.8lt. Fan lost blades, water pump bearings went, radiator damaged....etc. ( Damage happened when his mate was driving it )
He rebuilt it all using a new electric fan rather than the viscous unit. I saw the car last week and it looks really smart.

 

[mrscalex]

My go to water pump & thermostat for my 2.2s from my go to ebay seller. Normally I find that seller cheapest although I haven't checked recently. They're actually in Swindon. Though I think they only do mail order.

Also worth doing a coolant change. And having the belt and pulley/tensioner checked. I don't tend to change them unless they are worn though some people will routinely change them.

 

[Stevo7682]

If memory serves @Grumps ( I think) had a pretty major water pump failure out on a forum cruise.

 

[t-tony]

He did Steve. He limped it home and then across here where we rebuilt the cooling system.

Tony.

 

[Dalek]

Just to make my day complete....
They have just put Pistachio on the ramp and now tell me that the front coil spring has snapped and damaged the front tyre as well. So on top of water pump etc, I also need front end suspension bits replaced!!

 

[Mazza]

All fixable, but what a pain....

Don't know if this will help, but Autodoc are doing 27% discount today.

 

[mrscalex]

Just to make my day complete....
They have just put Pistachio on the ramp and now tell me that the front coil spring has snapped and damaged the front tyre as well. So on top of water pump etc, I also need front end suspension bits replaced!!

It may be even slightly worse again. Make sure you take control of the spring fitted. Assuming it's still on factory springs, Sport fitment is -15mm. There are no aftermarket parts. Only BMW. Front springs are about £85 ea from BMW. And preferably replaced in pairs.

Other options are change springs all round and lower by a further 15mm (-30mm fitment). Or have a pair of regular aftermarket springs that will increase the front of the car by 15mm. Don't do that on one side only otherwise you will affect handling - exactly why you shouldn't let the garage pick. They may well tell you they put in your reg and it's the right part but I can tell you know with all certainty it won't be because you have a Sport. Every single parts catalogue I've ever checked does not know about Sport fitment and I've checked dozens.

While the strut(s) are apart they should check the shocks have good rebound and the top mounts are okay. If they are original factory shocks it will be a big surprise if they are in good order.

The good news is all of this is fairly light on labour. It's the parts bill that stacks up.