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Why do BMW Water Pumps Fail

By Jessica Hardy

The most common cause of water pump failure in BMW cars is simply from age and heavy use of the vehicle. Over time, most parts in a car start to break down through constant wear and tear. Since the water pump is made of plastic, it will slowly degrade over the lifetime of your vehicle.

How long do BMW water pumps last?

About Water Pump Replacement Water pumps are designed to last at least 100,000 miles, however, if your water pump fails, you should replace it with a high-quality original-equipment level unit. Less expensive replacement pumps are available, but they might only have a service life of 30,000 miles.

How do I know if my BMW water pump is bad?

  1. An apparent coolant leak near the front of your vehicle.
  2. Whining noises coming from under the hood, which can indicate a broken water pump pulley.
  3. Overheating engine.
  4. Steam coming from the radiator.
  5. Check engine light has turned on.
  6. Engine temperature warning light has turned on.

Why does my water pump keep failing?

Water pumps can fail prematurely due to corrosion inside the cooling system or from an imbalanced water-pump shaft. But in most instances, water pumps fail because of shaft leaks. … Excessive tension on a fan belt or serpentine belt also can overload the water-pump shaft bearings and cause the pump to fail.

Why do electric water pumps fail?

The water pump is made of a plastic material, and over time it’s normal for the plastic to begin cracking and corroding. Other issues with water pumps could be due to problems with the bearing or the impeller pieces.

How can you tell if your water pump is going bad?

  1. Overheating. A dead or dying water pump cannot circulate coolant through your vehicle’s engine and, as such, the engine will overheat. …
  2. Coolant Leaks. Coolant leaks from the water pump are common and a clear sign that it’s time to replace the pump. …
  3. Corroded Water Pump. …
  4. Whining Noises.

What are the signs of a water pump going bad?

Common signs include coolant leaks at the front-center of the car, loose water pump pulley, overheating engine, and steam coming from the radiator.

Can you drive with a bad water pump?

If your car’s water pump is bad, you need to get it replaced quickly or you’ll risk damaging your engine. Depending on a few factors, you can probably drive your vehicle 5-20 miles with a faulty water pump, which should be enough to get you to the nearest mechanic to replace it.

How much does it cost to fix water pump?

The average water pump replacement cost is $550, with prices ranging from $461 to $638 in the US in 2020. But typically depends on the type of vehicle you drive and the auto repair shop you take it to. Labor costs are between $256 and $324 while parts cost between $205 and $314.

How long should a water pump last?

The average lifespan of a water pump is similar to the lifespan of a timing belt. They usually last 60,000 to 90,000 miles with the proper care. However, some cheaper water pumps may begin leaking at as low as 30,000 miles.

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How much does it cost to replace a water pump on a BMW?

BMW 328i Water Pump Replacement Cost Estimate. Labor costs are estimated between $267 and $337 while parts are priced between $549 and $710. This range is based on the number and age of BMW 328i’s on the road.

Can a bad water pump cause a blown head gasket?

Coolant leaking from the water pump is one major indicator of a failing head gasket. … When the coolant is low, the vehicle can quickly overheat and lead to a blown engine.

Who makes BMW water pumps?

About Hepu For more than 50 years, HEPU has been known as a well-known manufacturer of high quality water pumps for motor vehicles. Wherever motors run or vehicles are used for mobility and transport, genuine HEPU brand products are in demand.

What does BMW water pump do?

BMWs were one of the first brands of automobiles to feature an electric water pump. The job of the water pump is to circulate engine coolant around the cooling system in the engine compartment. The coolant, in turn, keeps the engine cool and prevents it from overheating.

Who makes BMW electric water pump?

Benefits of a Davies Craig Electric Water Pump (EWP®) for BMW. It’s been found that these the regular water pumps tend to fail upwards of the 100,000 kilometre mark. As a result, the change to a Davies Craig EWP® and associated products could be a life saver for the BMW’s engine and cooling system.

Will Stop Leak fix a water pump?

It works on plastic, aluminum, and metal radiators in heater cores, engine cooling jacket, gaskets (including head gaskets), water pumps, and freeze plugs.

Should I replace timing belt with water pump?

Generally, the idler pulleys, tensioner and water pump should always be replaced when the timing belt is replaced. In most cases, the timing belt drives the water pump, so it is the right time to replace the water pump. It is also recommended by the manufacturer.

What sound does a bad water pump make?

One way to check for worn out or failed water pump bearing; is to check for water pump shaft movement. So, with a faulty bearing, you can often hear a squealing, howling; or sometimes a grinding noise, coming from the front of the engine.

Can a water pump cause loss of power?

If the water pump fails the camshaft belt could break and cause serious damage to the engine valves and pistons, which could cause the complete engine to fail. The water pump and camshaft belt components should be changed immediately.

When should I replace water pump?

Facts and figures: a working water pump only needs to be replaced after 60,000-100,000 miles, so if you have your car for less than 10 years, you may never have to worry about it. That being said, if you purchase your car used, it is a good idea to find out if the water pump has been replaced.

How many labor hours does it take to replace a water pump?

On average, water pump replacement is a 3 hour job. You may pay less if you buy the pump yourself and give it to the mechanic to install, though use caution and make sure to buy the parts from a reputable source.

How much does a water pump cost UK?

The average water pump replacement cost is between £250 – £700 in the UK. The cost of water pump, gaskets and coolant is around £70 – £250, with the bulk of the cost being labour costs, which are around £180 – £450 (at an average hourly rate of £60 – £150 and 3 hours work).

How long does it take to change a water pump on a car?

How long does it take to replace a water pump? Replacing a water pump can be a steady half-day’s work. A simple and straightforward switch might only take 2 hours, but some of the more complicated could take even the most competent mechanic a full day. We’d suggest between 2 and 4 hours for the majority.

What's the cost of a water pump?

Most often your water pump replacement cost will be between $40 and $80 dollars. Exceptions to this price are the electric water pumps which will cost between $150 and $500 depending upon the model of car. A serpentine driven water pump is fairly accessible, so installation will range between $80 to $150.

How do I know if my BMW thermostat is bad?

If your thermostat fails, the Service Engine Soon light will come on. They’re designed to fail open; this keeps coolant flowing. If they failed shut the engine would almost immediately overheat. In addition to the SES, if it does fail open, you won’t have much heat from the heater.

What are the first signs of a blown head gasket?

  • White smoke coming from the tailpipe.
  • BUBBLING IN THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT RESERVOIR.
  • unexplained coolant loss with no leaks.
  • Milky white coloration in the oil.
  • Engine overheating.

What does a car sound like with a blown head gasket?

If the head gasket fails in such a way it allows the compressed air/fuel to escape, the compression of that cylinder is reduced. This loss of compression results in a rough running engine and a notable reduction in engine power. This sort of failure typically is accompanied by a sound like an exhaust leak.

What year did BMW start using electric water pumps?

2006-2013 N52/N54 6-cylinder. This was BMW’s first electric water pump.

How much is a BMW oil pump?

The average price of a BMW oil pump is between $316.99 and $839.99.

Who makes graf water pumps?

With roots in Turin since the 1920s, Graf moved its quality manufacturing site to Rovato in the 1960s. In 2001 Metelli acquired one hundred percent of the company which has since specialised in water pumps for the independent spare parts market.