BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-23-2020, 10:11 AM   #1
BikeNHV
Private First Class
113
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 128i, F-350, Cooper SE
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: CT

iTrader: (1)

Current opinions on water pump as preventative maintenance?

Hi All,

Been lurking this forum every so often since I got my 128 just over 5 years ago.

As these cars age, I'm curious about up-to-date opinions regarding replacing the water pump (or other cooling system components) as "preventative maintenance."

Is it:

a) The electric water pump is a ticking time bomb, even on a 128 where it's less stressed.
or
b) Early failures were likely manufacturing anomalies. If it's working, leave it alone unless you see symptoms (excessive fan running, temp warning, etc). But keep up with regular coolant flushes.

My car:
2009 128i 6mt coupe
N51
119k miles
Lots of short trips/heat cycles. Well-maintained but by no means babied.
All original cooling system except for the coolant itself (last flushed just before 100k).
Appreciate 1
nazali1264.50
      08-23-2020, 01:42 PM   #2
..Rush..
Captain
..Rush..'s Avatar
United_States
974
Rep
929
Posts

Drives: AW E88
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Following this thread as well.
Would like to hear what the members have to say.
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2020, 09:45 AM   #3
fotontom
Second Lieutenant
fotontom's Avatar
United_States
174
Rep
257
Posts

Drives: BMW 128i E82 M-Sport, 528i F10
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (1)

I'm the third owner of a 2012 128 'vert, 97K miles. Original water pump, thermostat. Changed hoses and coolant at 96K. Standing by with a new all-metal water pump and new thermostat. Undecided on when I will install. Subscribed to this thread!
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2020, 10:25 AM   #4
nazali
Major
nazali's Avatar
Canada
1265
Rep
1,146
Posts

Drives: 230 2020 vert F23
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Total Wack Job

iTrader: (0)

from what I understand there is NOTHING you can do, regarding the failure
what a few have said is follow your maintenance schedule for the cooling system , top up with BMW AF and distilled water, but AFAIK it goes it goes
Appreciate 2
      08-24-2020, 10:27 AM   #5
nazali
Major
nazali's Avatar
Canada
1265
Rep
1,146
Posts

Drives: 230 2020 vert F23
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Total Wack Job

iTrader: (0)

oh sorry, if you have the cash you could replace it, my 128i from new with 115k no issues, I believe the n52 128's are a "safer" model--was told told hold me to it

there's a thread on this look it up, some good info
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2020, 10:28 AM   #6
nazali
Major
nazali's Avatar
Canada
1265
Rep
1,146
Posts

Drives: 230 2020 vert F23
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Total Wack Job

iTrader: (0)

here:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798195

mainly 135's have the issue
Appreciate 1
      08-29-2020, 11:40 AM   #7
Olgeezer1
Lieutenant
173
Rep
498
Posts

Drives: 2010 128i 6MT Sport Pkg. 18"
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Mike Miller's advice in his "Lifetime Maintenance Schedule" is to not replace our electric water pump proactively due to expense and the limp mode that protects against engine damage. Not much we can do to extend it's life. Biggest factor is probably driving conditions, ie. hot climates, heavy traffic, stop and go = shorter life. Change your OE Coolant + distilled water every few years and keep an eye on Coolant temps. I'll probably lose my nerve at around 100k. miles and change it out then if no problems beforehand.
Appreciate 2
tock172581.50
nazali1264.50
      08-30-2020, 03:52 PM   #8
tock172
Beachtown Bill Collector
tock172's Avatar
United_States
582
Rep
1,062
Posts

Drives: 2012 135i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2012 BMW 135i  [0.00]
1999 Lexus LS400  [0.00]
1985 BMW 325e  [0.00]
I don't believe preventative replacement of the electric water pump on a BMW like the 1 Series is as important as cooling system maintenance on previous BMW engines.

On something like an E36 or E46, cooling system failure is often catastrophic because it leads to overheating and potential cylinder head damage. On a modern BMW, this isn't the case, as the car immediately goes into limp mode, and usually doesn't lose coolant when the water pump itself fails. The cost of the pump is also a factor, but so too is the possibility of being stranded. I lost a water pump while driving my 2011 135i on the freeway when the car had something like 35,000 miles on it. Being stranded sucks, but it's a tough call for something with low mileage, and when the pump itself is costs more than an entire cooling system replacement on an older BMW.
__________________


2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2020, 02:36 AM   #9
krhodes1
Colonel
1413
Rep
2,519
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i Wagon
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 128i  [10.00]
2011 BMW 328i Touring  [10.00]
I'll probably do it preemptively on my 128i - it spent most of it's life in Austin TX, so high heat and heavy traffic. It's at 49K now, I put on about 5K a year usually so maybe at 100K?

I'm not so worried about it on my '11 328i wagon - always been in Maine, has rarely ever been in traffic. 48K currently, and at <2K/yr the thing will probably last forever.

Interesting comparison of the two cars - despite similar miles, the 128i has had both the oil pan gasket and the valve cover gasket done already, but not the OFHG. No leaks whatsoever on my 328i (bought it new). I just had all the undershields off to fix the lower grill after hitting a bird so I took a hard look at everything underneath. Dry as the Sahara. Also interesting, the wagon gets MUCH better fuel economy than the convertible (both 6spd). Aero? N52 vs. N51 thing? I dunno? And if anything, I drive the wagon faster - it's quieter.
__________________

'11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option
'11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual,
also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
Appreciate 1
      08-31-2020, 08:00 AM   #10
DarthFader
Private First Class
134
Rep
177
Posts

Drives: M2, 135i, F23 M240i
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Wisconsin

iTrader: (0)

If you plan on taking long road trips then I would swap it out so you don't get stranded (or have to limp to a dealer which happened to me at 75k miles while 3 states away from home).

If you drive short trips in your area, then replace when it dies. You will usually get a little warning such as the cooling fans running on high for no apparent reason.

On my cars, the WP died at 60k and 75k miles.
When I sold my 335, it had 110k miles and original pump.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2020, 04:00 PM   #11
Petro135
Captain
United_States
452
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i E88
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: South jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 135i  [0.00]
I had an original pump on my 135i at 95k miles. Then when I was changing my turbos I dropped it and cracked the face. Hoping it would hold out with some plastic weld, i was back under there a week later to replace it. I think its the luck of the draw. Not a fun job, took a couple hours to get it out and a only a few minutes to put it back in. I went without the top bolt. Tried every tool in my house trying to get to it and gave up. I check it everytime im under the car. Still tight
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2020, 11:44 PM   #12
NGEE
Fuck it dude, let's go bowling.
NGEE's Avatar
858
Rep
2,471
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Not Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

My N55 WP just left my wife stranded on a terrible and hazardous stretch of road. Had the car towed back to the house and replacing it now.

I had this happen on my E90 N54. At the time I theorized that the OFHG failure was related - small bits of hardened gasket material fudging up the pump innards. That is debatable. But IMHO the VCG, OFHG, and WP/Thermostat are all maintenance items at ~80k miles. Oil pan gasket at 100-120k.
__________________
1M. Previously: '13 135is; '07 E90 335i; '02 325i; '99 Z3; '98 328is; '87 L6; '77 320i
Appreciate 2
Gangplank1538.50
      09-07-2020, 06:17 AM   #13
Gangplank
Brigadier General
Gangplank's Avatar
United_States
1539
Rep
3,071
Posts

Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Vero Beach, FL

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2011 135i  [0.00]
I replaced the water pump & T-stat on my 135i at 60,000 miles as preventative maintenance. It probably could have waited but it's my daily driver and I didn't want to be stranded.

On 135 I'd do it in the 65-80k mile range.
On 128 I'd wait until higher mileage, and change the coolant every 2-3 years or 24k miles.
__________________
2011 135i w/ DCT | ZSP Sport Pkg | PPK | Ohlins R
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2020, 10:19 AM   #14
Gray_Panther
Brigadier General
Gray_Panther's Avatar
1532
Rep
3,220
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Upstate NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NGEE View Post
My N55 WP just left my wife stranded on a terrible and hazardous stretch of road. Had the car towed back to the house and replacing it now.

I had this happen on my E90 N54. At the time I theorized that the OFHG failure was related - small bits of hardened gasket material fudging up the pump innards. That is debatable. But IMHO the VCG, OFHG, and WP/Thermostat are all maintenance items at ~80k miles. Oil pan gasket at 100-120k.
This makes the most sense to me about gasket material fudging up the pump.

Just hit 60k on my N51 128i on original pump. I bought the car new.

Coolant flushed at 50k.
__________________
2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2020, 11:31 AM   #15
BikeNHV
Private First Class
113
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 128i, F-350, Cooper SE
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: CT

iTrader: (1)

Appreciate all the opinions. I think I'm going to stick with 2yr/24k coolant flushes for now.

The point about gasket material from the OFHG is a good one. Fortunately mine was taken care of about 50k ago, and was done as soon as it was noticed.

Coincidentally, I need to replace the coolant line that runs in front of the block to the oil cooler. It's developed a scaly look in one area and the end that attaches to the oil cooler looks like it's cracking. Good excuse to do a coolant flush at the same time.
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2020, 02:45 PM   #16
JimD
Brigadier General
JimD's Avatar
367
Rep
3,547
Posts

Drives: 128i convertible
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lexington, SC

iTrader: (0)

I am taking the watch and wait approach, at least for now. My bimmer is a e88 n52, 2009 with about 103K miles. I only replaced the battery last year. The only thing that gives me pause a bit is my alternator experience. It failed on the way to work one day and the car just quit. The battery still had power but the car quit. I paid $800 for the replacement and $600 was stated to be the alternator. I looked them up on line and found alternators for that but i also found alternators around $200. Not sure the difference. But when your car is undriveable, you don't have any real bargaining leverage. If you do it proactively you can shop around and probably save significantly.

But while it may be a wear item in our cars they also seem to fail early sometimes. That seems to open at least a small chance that you would replace a coolant pump that is working fine and going to continue to do so for awhile with one that will fail faster than the one you replaced.

I've also thought of buying one and putting it in the trunk. Solves the issue of part cost and also availability if it goes far from a dealer. But lots of places have these pumps now.
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2020, 04:00 PM   #17
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5139
Rep
3,235
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

The OEM water pump that replaced my factory original failed immediately when I got it home. Car was towed back to the dealership where another new pump was installed. So far so good.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2020, 04:49 PM   #18
gjm120
Colonel
2180
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zx10guy View Post
The OEM water pump that replaced my factory original failed immediately when I got it home. Car was towed back to the dealership where another new pump was installed. So far so good.
Wow. I was considering a preventative replacement, but, why bother since the failures seem so unpredictable.
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2020, 06:18 PM   #19
NGEE
Fuck it dude, let's go bowling.
NGEE's Avatar
858
Rep
2,471
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Not Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimD View Post
I've also thought of buying one and putting it in the trunk. Solves the issue of part cost and also availability if it goes far from a dealer.
Hope it goes somewhere where you have access to a lift or at least jack stands, a host of tools, internet access and lots of time
__________________
1M. Previously: '13 135is; '07 E90 335i; '02 325i; '99 Z3; '98 328is; '87 L6; '77 320i
Appreciate 0
      09-10-2020, 09:29 AM   #20
Gray_Panther
Brigadier General
Gray_Panther's Avatar
1532
Rep
3,220
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Upstate NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimD View Post
I am taking the watch and wait approach, at least for now. My bimmer is a e88 n52, 2009 with about 103K miles. I only replaced the battery last year. The only thing that gives me pause a bit is my alternator experience. It failed on the way to work one day and the car just quit. The battery still had power but the car quit. I paid $800 for the replacement and $600 was stated to be the alternator. I looked them up on line and found alternators for that but i also found alternators around $200. Not sure the difference. But when your car is undriveable, you don't have any real bargaining leverage. If you do it proactively you can shop around and probably save significantly.

But while it may be a wear item in our cars they also seem to fail early sometimes. That seems to open at least a small chance that you would replace a coolant pump that is working fine and going to continue to do so for awhile with one that will fail faster than the one you replaced.

I've also thought of buying one and putting it in the trunk. Solves the issue of part cost and also availability if it goes far from a dealer. But lots of places have these pumps now.
My father's alternator was replaced on his '07 X3 3.0si. Luckily they had his 1er to drive. But we ended up purchasing the $200 alternator and replaced it. It was a pita reinstall, but so far so good. Mind you we only did it this year.
__________________
2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
Appreciate 0
      09-15-2020, 05:34 PM   #21
JimD
Brigadier General
JimD's Avatar
367
Rep
3,547
Posts

Drives: 128i convertible
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lexington, SC

iTrader: (0)

I carry a few tools in the bimmer but would not plan to replace the coolant pump by the side of the road. I carry AAA to get free towing. So I would plan to have it towed to a garage and then supply them the parts to install. That might not work or might not be appreciated. But in smaller towns with repair places that do not specialize in BMWs I think it could get me back on the road quicker and cheaper. But I will probably just take my chances.
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
Appreciate 0
      09-16-2020, 08:34 AM   #22
Gray_Panther
Brigadier General
Gray_Panther's Avatar
1532
Rep
3,220
Posts

Drives: 128i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Upstate NY

iTrader: (0)

I agree with Jim, not only is it not safe to change the pump on the side of the road, you also have all that coolant to deal with.

If you don't have AAA, just eat the cost to get the car towed to your home/mechanic. Supply the parts that you have on hand and some hours later your 1er is back in working order.

My fathers X3 also has not had the waterpump replaced. All original. 130k+ miles.
__________________
2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:19 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST