BMW Z3 Water Pump Failure

t-tony

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Most you lucky guys get to do this type of thing and relatively enjoy doing it. To me it's a busmans holiday.
 

GazHyde

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Most you lucky guys get to do this type of thing and relatively enjoy doing it. To me it's a busmans holiday.
I'm a softy office worker. This kind of thing is not natural to me at all. I can hit things with other things and follow instructions, but it will have taken me 10 times longer than someone vaguely competent...
 

Richard Dunsbury

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:(backed her out of the garage today oh no pool of antifreeze on the floor, new rad required hopefully with a complete new cooling system it will be all systems go again.
 

jonco

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:(backed her out of the garage today oh no pool of antifreeze on the floor, new rad required hopefully with a complete new cooling system it will be all systems go again.
Are you sure it's the rad Richard? If your rad has side expansion tank it's worth checking bottom `O' ring area? New ring ~£5 - new expansion tank with O ring £20 to £30 cheaper than a rad!
 

Richard Dunsbury

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Hi thanks will check that the leak is coming from the bottom edge of the expansion tank will have a look tomorrow
 

GazHyde

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Finally got around to putting Rosie back together again. Hampered by a couple of incomplete orders on my part, and then losing one of the water pump fixing nuts the other day!

Wen't for a quick roof down test drive and all tickety boo again... :rally:
 

Mint

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Great stuff Gary, it's a great feeling when you can say "I fixed that".:)
 
B

badman gee

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Took the plunge and just ordered the Stewart pump from Bimmerzone couldn't find a uk supplier and it came to £151 with shipping, a tad more expensive but what the hell i guess !!!
It's come with a lifetime guarantee so should outlive me !!


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Have you fitted this yet?

Are all z3 models fitted with the plastic impeller?

Can you tell by vin number?

Many thanks
 

Woody100

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Haven't fitted it yet Mark as still waiting for it to arrive, it's just cleared customs so I should have it by the end of the week

I was under the impression that all Z3 engines were fitted with plastic impellers from reading a few threads on different forums

I have every receipt and invoice for my car and can't find any indication mine has been replaced so it's got to be done. Probably find as it's a 2002 it was already fitted with a metal impeller from new but I won't know for sure until I take it out.

Prevention is better than cure !!
 

Brian H

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@Woody100, I am fairly certain you will have the plastic impeller, I changed my water pump in my 2001 model a while back, this had a plastic impeller. Nothing wrong with the old one when I replaced it, no signs of cracking etc but it gave me piece of mind.
 
B

badman gee

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@Woody100, I am fairly certain you will have the plastic impeller, I changed my water pump in my 2001 model a while back, this had a plastic impeller. Nothing wrong with the old one when I replaced it, no signs of cracking etc but it gave me piece of mind.
How many miles on your car Brian?

Was it easy to change?
 

Brian H

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How many miles on your car Brian?

Was it easy to change?
I changed the pump around the 62 - 63K mile mark, I have done a few miles since then, It was reletively easy to change although I do have the tool for holding the viscous fan steady whilst trying to remove it. The hardest part for me was putting the new one back in, there as an o ring that seats all the way around the pump which seals it to the block, this proved quite difficult to get in.
 

Woody100

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My car has 77k on the clock so needs doing, too many horror stories to ignore it I guess.

I bought the fan tool of the bay so have all I need to do the job just waiting for the pp to arrive and the weather to break !!!
 

Mint

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Woody100

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May sounds about right !

I'm not using the car as it's tucked away for winter but want to put the new pump in just so I can see what the old one is like !!!

Does that make me a wrongon !!!
 

GazHyde

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For reference mine had a plastic impeller on it. Obviously I can't confirm whether it had ever been changed before, but I'm guessing it's original.

As for how simple to change @badman gee, if I can change a water pump it has to be classed as a straight forward procedure :nailbiting: I would suggest making sure you have all the tools and parts to hand before starting (unlike myself) to avoid frustration. Worthwhile changing the drive belts and thermostat while your in there.
 
B

badman gee

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What tools are required, so I can be ready for the dirty deed?
 

Mint

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