BMW E46 Waterpump

[3ZHPGUY]

I talked to a guy I work with about just changing my water pump. I actually met a few years before we worked together at an all German car show. He has been heavy into Bimmers & Porsche for years. He told me that i should have put in at Stewart pump saying they are bullet proof.



http://www.stewartcomponents.net/Mer...y_Code=BMWHPWP

[Linh]

Before looking into the OEM composite wp, I had already bought the kit with the metal impeller. But upon researching, I feel that the main problems with metal impeller wp's is premature bearing failure. I've also heard about composite OEM bearing going bad too (E46 M3) at around 80k. But people have gone up to 130-140k with no overhaul of the cooling system, but even then, its usually the T-stat or expansion tanks that gives up first.

I recently check the water pump bearings/shaft and it had no play or wobbling @102k miles. Right now, I'm more worried about the expansion tank exploding, which I will change soon when flushing the coolant.

[danewilson77]

Right now, I'm more worried about the expansion tank exploding.....

Hear, hear....

[Linh]

Haha. . Yes Dane, you will be getting some PM's soon =)

[FullyBalanced]

Nk- was just reading the December Roundel issue and there was a question in the Tech Talk section about cooling system overhaul and whether the water pumps are improved over the ones that we needed to replace every 60k.

At this time the well respected tech recommends water pump and thermostat at 60k, radiator, exp tank, plastic cooling fan, upper and lower hoses at 90k, and the other coolant and fuel hoses at 150k.

Said that he knows of no update to the oem pump that resolves the premature failure issues.

that was regarding a 540i....I don't know if they have the same pump or not.

[FullyBalanced]

I talked to a guy I work with about just changing my water pump. I actually met a few years before we worked together at an all German car show. He has been heavy into Bimmers & Porsche for years. He told me that i should have put in at Stewart pump saying they are bullet proof.



http://www.stewartcomponents.net/Mer...y_Code=BMWHPWP

They have a lifetime warranty so I figured go ahead and get it in there!

[az3579]

They have a lifetime warranty so I figured go ahead and get it in there!

Problem is, the warranty isn't worth jack if it fails on you because you're still left stranded and still have to pay to get it fixed (if you don't do your own work). Plus, you'll be out a car for at least a few days while waiting for the replacement.

To me, it's greater peace of mind to replace it every 60k. I can't afford to have one fail on me during a track day because then not only will I be stranded very far from home, but I will have lost whatever money I dumped on the track day as well.

[shadowpuck]

so far, everything i've read is pretty complimentary of the stewart pump. i've assisted with the install of one in an e36 with a track-prepped motor and no issues so far.

i've also had no problems at all with BMW OEM water pumps using tech talk's maintenance interval - including my track car, which is at 189k and going strong.

general bmw cooling system rules apply - keep the coolant up to code, check for leaks and damage, don't over tighten the hose clamps, and address any issues immediately.

i have witnessed a radiator failure with no prior warning - so its possible. i don't think its fear mongering, but rather another piece of information to know.
agreed, though, the odds of a radiator up and dying without any prior notice is pretty rare.

[kayger12]

Yeah- I even googled to try and dig up some Stewart pump failure hits, but came up empty...

[quikryptonite]

So, I am on the TMS site searching for a composite water pump and I find this P/N 11517527910. It says that it is a fit for my car, but redirects me to this P/N 11517509985. This part number comes with with a "thumbs down" for my 2003 330i. But, it says that it fits the following BMW's (1999-2006 E46 3 series - 323i, 323Ci, 328i, 328Ci, 325i, 325Ci, 330i, 330Ci). Isn't this the new P/N that BMW is using: Part #: 11517509985 | Composite WP

Have any of you used this P/N on your cars? It looks like it should fit.

BavAuto is giving me this when I search for that P/N
Substitution! We sell the same part as a different number. You searched for: 11 51 7 509 985
We sell the same part as: 11 51 7 527 910

ECSTuning comes up with a fit for my E46 M54 330i.

I think I should be good ordering that part from TMS. I am getting the power pulleys too and wanted to save on shipping.