When does the second water pump go out?

[mackeroni]

I have read post after post about water pump failure between 40,000 and 110,000. What about the lifespan of the replacements? Is it necessary to replace the pump AGAIN after another 40,000 to 110,000 miles, or do the replacements somehow manage to last longer?

Should I buy five or six pumps if I plan to keep my car that long?

Peace

[chadillac2000]

My 535i had the original water pump replaced at 70,000 miles. I'm now at 185,000 on that second water pump. If I recall correctly, the original water pump and replacement water pump were different brands -- maybe VDO and Continental.

A good sign that the Continental pump has now gone 115,000 miles and counting.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by chadillac2000

My 535i had the original water pump replaced at 70,000 miles. I'm now at 185,000 on that second water pump. If I recall correctly, the original water pump and replacement water pump were different brands -- maybe VDO and Continental.

Mine was also a different brand, but I only have about 1k on the new one lol

[ianc]

I've been wondering if they've managed to debug the replacement Conti units as well. Fingers crossed, but Chaddy's report is encouraging...

ianc

[tock172]

Originally Posted by chadillac2000

My 535i had the original water pump replaced at 70,000 miles. I'm now at 185,000 on that second water pump. If I recall correctly, the original water pump and replacement water pump were different brands -- maybe VDO and Continental.

A good sign that the Continental pump has now gone 115,000 miles and counting.

Continental bought VDO from Siemens in 2007.

[HomoPirate]

I think the life of second pump will be similar to you first pump. Just prepare another $1k for the repair when the time comes

[Dylanize]

I don't see any part revisions in my quick search for N55. So It very well may be the same unit that was installed at the factory.

[The Wind Breezes]

They go out when they feel like it. Most pumps last a long time, some even more than 100K miles, some fail after only a few tens of thousands of miles. If you want the best assurance of reliability, yes, you need to preemptively replace your pump, say every 3 years or 30K miles.

[BoosTonian]

I was told the impeller was changed in the revised pumps vs the original.

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by BoosTonian

I was told the impeller was changed in the revised pumps vs the original.

This would be good news! Who told you this? Are they a reliable source?

Peace

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

They go out when they feel like it. Most pumps last a long time, some even more than 100K miles, some fail after only a few tens of thousands of miles. If you want the best assurance of reliability, yes, you need to preemptively replace your pump, say every 3 years or 30K miles.

Well...not sure about that. I do tend to drive an hour or more from home frequently, so I have been thinking about buying a water pump and thermostat to carry around in the trunk. At least if I broke down relatively close to a dealer or reputable indy, I would be prepared with parts. This sounds a little more appealing than just routine replacement every 30,000 miles at $1,000 a pop. Heck, I might be one of the lucky ones to go over 100K!

Peace

[Yeti.Sledge]

I just had to my WP replaced at 37k on my '12 135i. BMW is running a special right now for Q1. Any water pump replaced by BMW comes with a LIFETIME WARRANTY!! It covers both parts and labor! If you're thinking of doing it, now might be the time...

[Dackelone]

Yeti.Sledge just report this little tibet. (even though it won't help you out... it might be telling that BMW knows the new pumps are lasting longer than the earlier ones) I would think the second pump will last much longer than the original one. That is... as long as you replaced the pump with an updated pump.

Dackel

Originally Posted by Yeti.Sledge

...and the service manager mentioned something great...

They are running a special this quarter, that certain parts, water pumps, alternators, and a few others, from BMW and installed by them, come with a lifetime parts and labor warranty!! So if it goes out again, even after my regular warranty is done, the pump will be covered. Since this is my first post here, (many years on bimmerforums,) I can't post a new topic. Does someone want to spread the word?

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Yeti.Sledge just report this little tibet. (even though it won't help you out... it might be telling that BMW knows the new pumps are lasting longer than the earlier ones) I would think the second pump will last much longer than the original one. That is... as long as you replaced the pump with an updated pump.

Dackel

Thanks Dack. But why wouldn't this help me? Can't I get a new water pump now and enjoy the lifetime warranty?

Peace... Mack

[desertman123]

Completely anecdotal, but I haven't seen many threads where people talking about their replacement pumps dying, only their originals.

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Completely anecdotal, but I haven't seen many threads where people talking about their replacement pumps dying, only their originals.

Exactly. According to some, that first failure can happen anytime after 45,000 miles. Others recommend preemptive replacement to ensure reliability. (Ignoring the other several items that tend to fail on our cars.) I am currently just over 49,000 miles, so I am preoccupied with my water pump. Anytime I drive more than an hour from home, a thick sweat breaks out on my brow and I find it hard to concentrate. I am listening intently for any sign of the impending doom.

I would hate to think that I will have to go through this for many thousands of miles every time my water pump accumulates 40,000 miles of use. I would rather hear that the newer pumps last 100,000 miles or more.

Peace... Mack

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

Thanks Dack. But why wouldn't this help me? Can't I get a new water pump now and enjoy the lifetime warranty?

Peace... Mack

Ohh! I was thinking that you had already replaced your waterpump.

Btw... when you replace your pump I wold also replace the e-thermostat and the U-shaped coolant hose that connects the pump and e-stat and bmw coolant. Also have new waterpump bolts used, bc they are alu stretch bolts.

But if you have a dealer do the repair... I'm sure they will do all of that except for maybe the U-shaped coolant hose. At least that was the case with my dealer.

Dack

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

I am listening intently for any sign of the impending doom.

There is no sign of impending doom... or at least there wasn't with my car. Red warning and limp mode... in less time than it's taken me to type this. Fortunately I still had CPO and so the whole thing cost me only an evening and $50.

This happened in a nice, safe, residential area. I sometimes wonder what would have happened had I been on the freeway... how about at a location with no shoulder... or even a steep bridge (of which there are many near where I live).

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

Exactly. According to some, that first failure can happen anytime after 45,000 miles. Others recommend preemptive replacement to ensure reliability. (Ignoring the other several items that tend to fail on our cars.) I am currently just over 49,000 miles, so I am preoccupied with my water pump. Anytime I drive more than an hour from home, a thick sweat breaks out on my brow and I find it hard to concentrate. I am listening intently for any sign of the impending doom.

I would hate to think that I will have to go through this for many thousands of miles every time my water pump accumulates 40,000 miles of use. I would rather hear that the newer pumps last 100,000 miles or more.

Peace... Mack

I drive from Orlando to the Daytona beach area quite frequently, I'd hate to get stuck on i4. I usually just keep an eye on the hidden menu KTMP-MOM and look for major fluctuations (it keeps around high 90s for hwy cruising usually.). When I did my OFHG and replaced my coolant, it was not OEM coolant so I'm hoping the PO took the car to an indy shop and had the pump work done.

I'm sure you're exaggerating, but if you're that worried about it I'd just get the job done and never worry about the pump again.

Sometimes there's signs for doom, sometimes a bolt of lightning strikes a boom youre dead. Look for codes (can't remember the exact ones), but it's for like "pump speed deviation". Another sign I've heard is your fans being on max as soon as you park, or in unusual spots. Lastly, I've heard about the pump itself actually leaking. Not much at all, just dripping, but you'll have to remove the belly pan for this.

[chadillac2000]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Btw... when you replace your pump I wold also replace the e-thermostat and the U-shaped coolant hose that connects the pump and e-stat and bmw coolant. Also have new waterpump bolts used, bc they are alu stretch bolts

Any reason for the u-shaped coolant hose recommendation? Just picked up all the supplies to do this job minus that hose, but hadn't heard it mentioned that these should be brittle or in need of replacing on the first water pump replacement.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by chadillac2000

Any reason for the u-shaped coolant hose recommendation? Just picked up all the supplies to do this job minus that hose, but hadn't heard it mentioned that these should be brittle or in need of replacing on the first water pump replacement.

I've heard it a few times before - I don't think it's critical, just another "while you're in there". Although you do have to apply a fair bit of force to get it off the pump, so maybe there's a risk of tearing it.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by chadillac2000

Any reason for the u-shaped coolant hose recommendation? Just picked up all the supplies to do this job minus that hose, but hadn't heard it mentioned that these should be brittle or in need of replacing on the first water pump replacement.

Yeah... it's not critical... but I figure while your in there... why not. The hose was cheap ~$40. I think as our cars get older in age... it would be best to replace some of the main coolant hoses(upper and lower radiator hoses). I've only replace this u-shaped hose so far. My car has 84K miles. I think in a year or two... I will replace some coolant hoses with a coolant change.