New water pump at 100k miles?

[SilverSlug]

I'm at 92k miles... I'm about to replace the thermostat, and wondering if I should go ahead and throw a new water pump in while I'm that far in there?

Did the 2011 E9X ever evolve to metal impalers? It stayed with plastic impalers?

[SilverSlug]

I haven't heard much about water pump failures, but ECS says it should be "serviced" at 80k miles...

How often do you guys replace yours? Or just wait until they fail, if ever?

[drwankel]

Honestly, you might as well while you were there. The only one that comes with a metal impeller is the bmw motorsports waterpump, which is like 20 bucks more than the normal OEM pump. No difference between a 2008 pump and a 2011 pump.

I did mine at around 60k as I was having a bunch of other work done in the area anyway. I made sure to use the bmw motorsports waterpump.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

I haven't heard much about water pump failures, but ECS says it should be "serviced" at 80k miles...

How often do you guys replace yours? Or just wait until they fail, if ever?

I just did mine at 100k kms together with thermostat as part of preventive maintenance. Stock wp never went to metal impeller. Only the OEM Rein wp or the BMW Motorsport unit has metal impeller.

[SilverSlug]

Okay cool, makes sense.

I heard the Rein water pump also has a metal impaler and is actually cheaper?? ... $112

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-rein-par...517838118~ren/

I wonder what reliability is like though?

[SilverSlug]

Ok, here is the Motorsport one... Which is genuine BMW and the one that comes on the M3 GT4... $495

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...518331044~oeb/

[Redd]

I've been using the Rein for a couple years now, no issue. Tbh, I've not heard of the plastic impeller being a failure point. Usually it starts to leak at the seal and people change them.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

Okay cool, makes sense.

I heard the Rein water pump also has a metal impaler and is actually cheaper?? ... $112

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-rein-par...517838118~ren/

I wonder what reliability is like though?

I think that's the wrong Rein part for E9x M3.

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by Redd

I think that's the wrong Rein part for E9x M3.

Indeed, you are correct... Here is the correct one, even cheaper! $108

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-rein-par...517838201~ren/

[SilverSlug]

Also found this one (made in Germany too)... Which looks like it has a metal impaler as well? $159

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-geba-par...517838201~gba/

[SilverSlug]

Indeed I haven't heard of the Impaler failing, but I have heard that it's shown signs of disintegration when removed during a replacement.

Just doesn't seem like having chunks of plastic in the cooling system is healthy, but maybe those were one-off situations of people using wrong coolant or high heat for extended periods of time.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

Okay cool, makes sense.

I heard the Rein water pump also has a metal impaler and is actually cheaper?? ... $112

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-rein-par...517838118~ren/

I wonder what reliability is like though?

Running Rein water pump with metal impeller, no issues.

[InnerBlueSkies]

I went this route, no issues
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-11517838201kt

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

I went this route, no issues
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-11517838201kt

This kit looks awesome. Does the included water pump have a plastic or metal impaler??

[Audioslave686]

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

This kit looks awesome. Does the included water pump have a plastic or metal impaler??

metal.

I used that kit as well. works perfectly so far.
I even had a few track days on it. no issues with the overheating

[Redd]

There was zero temp difference between plastic or metal impeller that I noticed.

[SilverSlug]

How much coolant would I need to complete this job? (Replace water pump).

And I would need to run through the burping procedure after every thing was completed, correct?

[SilverSlug]

Also, should I replace anything else while I'm in there?

Upper/lower radiator hose/s?

Connection pipe? (connects water pump to thermostat)

Idler pulley?

[pbonsalb]

The expansion tank is above the highest coolant level in the motor so it should be self bleeding. I used no special procedure after draining my coolant out of the block drains. I would run the heater circuit to make sure it is full. Turning the ignition on but not the engine may allow the auxiliary pump to help circulate some but I forget how much good that did.

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The expansion tank is above the highest coolant level in the motor so it should be self bleeding. I used no special procedure after draining my coolant out of the block drains. I would run the heater circuit to make sure it is full. Turning the ignition on but not the engine may allow the auxiliary pump to help circulate some but I forget how much good that did.

Nice. Thanks. How much coolant will I need after replacing the fuel pump?

Does the entire system get drained during the process?

Do I need the full 3 gallons?

[drrust]

If I remember correctly, One uses a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water. I also put in water wetter. I was able to do it with a gallon + one of the small bottles of coolant they sell for when you just replace the thermostat.

Getting the pulley out of the way can be tricky but it can be done. However, I chipped it when putting it back in. If I was doing it again I would put rags below the pump when trying to push the pulley back in. Also I would consider pulling the radiator out completely if one wants more room to work. It can be done with the radiator in position, but it is kind of tight.

[pbonsalb]

Pulling the water pump won’t drain the cooling system since it is mounted higher than the bottom. I have not changed mine yet so I don’t know how much to change just the pump. I think the whole system is about 3 gallons, so my guess is maybe 2.