Noisy bearing...... or is it!

Eddie Zedder

Eddie Zedder

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Points
148
Location
Megawatt Valley, Notts.
Model of Z
Z3 2.0
Noticed today that the Viscous Fan on my 2.0l Z3, was a bit noisy. On closer inspection it looked like the pulley bearing has a fair bit of play in it. Having looked at Real OEM, I am now not sure if it is a bearing or if the water pump is behind this pulley. Either way is it an easy fix or will it mean taking the rad out to get access?
 
It's screwed on to the front of the water pump. Removing the water pump isn't too bad a job on the 6 cylinder engines. You can do it with the rad in place but you'd find it easier with it out.

Depending on your mileage water pumps are recommended to be changed every 60k miles. If you can't find a record of this in your service history it's probably worth doing. Make sure you buy one which has metal impellers.
 
Easiest and safest way is to remove the radiator, just gives you a lots more space to work, not a difficult job but you will need to do a coolant change if you do remove it.

The viscous fan needs a 32mm spanner and a viscous fan tool to remove it, the water pump is just a standard socket set. The Pump can get stuck in place and need a little teasing to get out but overall not too difficult a job.
 
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Thanks for your replies and advice. Need to change the coolant before winter and the drive belt is in need of replacement so an ideal time to do the lot. Where is the best place to get the metal impellor pump from? Also has anybody fitted electric fan(s) in place of the viscous unit?
 
Just make sure that's where the problem is. I had a similar problem with my car earlier this year and it was the tensioner pulley bearing.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3B1bWF0Lic


And with the new one fitted the engine ran as quiet as ever.

Tony.
 
t-tony said:
Just make sure that's where the problem is. I had a similar problem with my car earlier this year and it was the tensioner pulley bearing.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3B1bWF0Lic


And with the new one fitted the engine ran as quiet as ever.

Tony.
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It's definitely the pump Tony, there's definite side to side movement of about 20-30 thou. Will check the tensoner as well though.
 
Agree with the others - if you are changing pump and coolant consider doing the stat as well while you have got it apart - it's probably as old as the pump, not very expensive and its only a quick job when you have the rest apart. Go for OEM quality replacements.
As BrianH said you need a 32mm viscous fan spanner (ebay or Amazon have plenty) but I managed to get mine off without the 'special ' tool - using a piece of flat bar diagonally across the pulley securing bolts instead.
 
...and replace the thermostat housing if it's the plastic one as they crack eventually.
 
Dino D said:
...and replace the thermostat housing if it's the plastic one as they crack eventually.
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Agree @Dino D - I did mean complete unit but never made it clear - must concentrate more.:oops:
 
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jonco said:
Agree with the others - if you are changing pump and coolant consider doing the stat as well while you have got it apart - it's probably as old as the pump, not very expensive and its only a quick job when you have the rest apart. Go for OEM quality replacements.
As BrianH said you need a 32mm viscous fan spanner (ebay or Amazon have plenty) but I managed to get mine off without the 'special ' tool - using a piece of flat bar diagonally across the pulley securing bolts instead.
Click to expand...

Dino D said:
...and replace the thermostat housing if it's the plastic one as they crack eventually.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys, had a closer look today. The thermostat housing is the plastic type so will replace that too. Do you know what makes of pump has the metal impellor fitted and where is the best place to get them from?
 
I sourced mine from GSF Car Parts and chose the one that had a metal impeller in the picture. I'd pop in to somewhere like that and ask what they have on their shelves.
 
GazHyde said:
I sourced mine from GSF Car Parts and chose the one that had a metal impeller in the picture. I'd pop in to somewhere like that and ask what they have on their shelves.
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Cheers Gaz, had a look at GSF and a few others last night, but the descriptions don't tell you if its metal or not. I think I will try our local motor factors and go from there.
 
Best to go into the store and open the box Bryan. Then you'll see what you're getting. There's often little point in asking the person who serves you and more than likely they wouldn't know a water pump from a piston TBH.

Tony.
 
t-tony said:
Best to go into the store and open the box Bryan. Then you'll see what you're getting. There's often little point in asking the person who serves you and more than likely they wouldn't know a water pump from a piston TBH.

Tony.
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Will do Tony. I shall try Allwoods, they are usually good. May be a while before I get sorted though, got six 12hr shifts on the trot. :(
 
Rather you than me mate. I do know Justin Allwood. He's a nice guy, usually at the Lincoln branch. Looks like a young version of Mungo Jerry. He knows me as Swiss Tony.

Tony.
 
Eddie Zedder said:
...................... Do you know what makes of pump has the metal impellor fitted and where is the best place to get them from?
Click to expand...

As others have said look in the box - the history of change over from plastic to metal is a bit vague but there were also bearing improvements .
I bought a Myle from MotorMec when I changed mine 3 years ago and it has metal impeller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SER...075?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5655a2961b

The irony (no pun) was I was changing on a precautionary basis and the old one was a pig to get out. When it did eventually come out it had a metal impeller anyway. :banghead::banghead:
 
jonco said:
As others have said look in the box - the history of change over from plastic to metal is a bit vague but there were also bearing improvements .
I bought a Myle from MotorMec when I changed mine 3 years ago and it has metal impeller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SER...075?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5655a2961b

The irony (no pun) was I was changing on a precautionary basis and the old one was a pig to get out. When it did eventually come out it had a metal impeller anyway. :banghead::banghead:
Click to expand...
Cheers Jonco, your a star. :thumbsup:
 
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