[batlin]

The other day, I let the car idle while I got the mail, got back in the car (had been driving for about 30 min at highway speeds) and there was a very loud fan noise up front (radiator fan?) I parked the car in my drive way and forgot about it. Next time I started it up no issues. Have driven about 100 miles since.
Fastforward to yesterday, 30 degrees F out side, driving around no issues. Get in line at In-n-Out and the fan starts going again. about 5 min later (still in line) I get a over heat warning. about 2 min later as I am driving away I get limp mode. I pulled over, waited 20 min, started up and no issues. Drove home just fine
Got home, did some research, checked the water pump (using the gas pedal 10 second method) Water pump was running (I could see water being pumped into expansion tank) and the radiator fan was running at high speed (like it had been the previous times when I had the issue)
I then drove around a bit in the neighborhood and no issues.

Is this a thermostat issue? Thoughts? Car is well out of warranty so I would really prefer not to have to take it in.

[nyalpine90]

seems like its thermostat module, does the temp gauge move?

[batlin]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

seems like its thermostat module, does the temp gauge move?

Temp guage moves, when it was overheating the temp was around 250, when it was normal it was at the mark between 140 and 250

[nyalpine90]

well in my experience when thermostat failed on me twice in one week.
i had the limp mode and temp gauge was stuck, the fan was on as well.

did u check if u have coolant, faulty sensor?

[02420X3]

Sounds like either the Thermostat Module, the Water Pump, or both. Both are known to be issues in the 35i, and both have been replaced on my '11.

Next up, if you haven't already been there, will be the Oil Filter Housing Gasket.

[batlin]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

well in my experience when thermostat failed on me twice in one week.
i had the limp mode and temp gauge was stuck, the fan was on as well.

did u check if u have coolant, faulty sensor?

Yea, I have coolant Temp guage isn't stuck. Since the water pump is running does that mean it is good?

[nyalpine90]

your best bet is to take it indy shop if you dont want to take it to bmw.

[batlin]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

Sounds like either the Thermostat Module, the Water Pump, or both. Both are known to be issues in the 35i, and both have been replaced on my '11.

Next up, if you haven't already been there, will be the Oil Filter Housing Gasket.

Actually, I already need to do the oil filter housing gasket, i have been putting it off. So I think this will be my opportunity to fix it. (BMW wanted 800 bux )

[02420X3]

Here's something to consider:

If the codes show either Thermostat Module or Water Pump, you might want to consider proactively replacing both. It will be expensive, both at the dealer and at an indy, but it may be less expensive to do both at once than to do one now, and the probable other later.

It's a triple ouch if you do t-stat, pump, and OFHG now, but if you have a good local indy, the sting will probably be a lot less than the dealer sting.

[batlin]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

Here's something to consider:

If the codes show either Thermostat Module or Water Pump, you might want to consider proactively replacing both. It will be expensive, both at the dealer and at an indy, but it may be less expensive to do both at once than to do one now, and the probable other later.

It's a triple ouch if you do t-stat, pump, and OFHG now, but if you have a good local indy, the sting will probably be a lot less than the dealer sting.

I just checked the codes "coolant pump was switched off due to a blockage"

[02420X3]

Time for a visit to the dealer or an indy. I'm leaning towards water pump, which may be on the way out.

[greg2step]

water pump - i just did mine last month. seems like every case where just the thermostat was replaced the X3 was back in the shop for water pump. what you describe is almost exactly what I have.

need to do oil filter housing gasket next - going to wait a few months - there are good threads about both repairs, common on 35i's as I now know

[batlin]

It just did it again. I pulled off to the side of the road. Shut down, waited a min. Turned it on and everything was fine. It is almost as if something was "stuck" or needed to be reset.

How difficult is it to replace the water pump on my own? I have a leaking Oil Filter housing as well that needs to be replaced so i figure I can do it at the same time. I'd prefer not to pay the high prices of BMW to do it.

Replacing the water pump, does the thermostat get replaced at the same time? Any recommendations on a cheap"ish" water pump? I see they are 500+ online

Thanks!

[greg2step]

Originally Posted by batlin

Actually, I already need to do the oil filter housing gasket, i have been putting it off. So I think this will be my opportunity to fix it. (BMW wanted 800 bux )

wow my service center want $1011 for the oil filter housing gasket.

indy shop can do it for less, putting it off here

[batlin]

I just got a quote for 1,300 for a water pump replacement at our local indy shop... seems a tad (lot) higher then I figured... thoughts?

My friend did his oil filter housing gasket, he said the actual gasket is only a few bux

[greg2step]

Originally Posted by batlin

I just got a quote for 1,300 for a water pump replacement at our local indy shop... seems a tad (lot) higher then I figured... thoughts?

My friend did his oil filter housing gasket, he said the actual gasket is only a few bux

mine water pump repair was covered under an extended powertrain warranty i purchased (whether that was a good idea is another question - apparently it covered the water pump but not the oil filter housing gasket - still working on that)

the price without that warranty was about $950 so $1300 = way high some reports have indy shops cheaper - there are other threads you should read

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1219853

[batlin]

Originally Posted by greg2step

mine water pump repair was covered under an extended powertrain warranty i purchased (whether that was a good idea is another question - apparently it covered the water pump but not the oil filter housing gasket - still working on that)

the price without that warranty was about $950 so $1300 = way high some reports have indy shops cheaper - there are other threads you should read

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1219853

Thank you for the link to the thread. Pretty much explains my issued 100% I will see if I can figure out how to do it my self or just take it to BMW

Thank you!

[carlili4190]

Just had this happen to us in the middle of Chicago's winter.. Car stalled on the highway and was blowing cold air out of the air vents when turned all the way hot. Turned out to be the water pump. Total replacement was around $1200

[malicem3]

Originally Posted by batlin

I just got a quote for 1,300 for a water pump replacement at our local indy shop... seems a tad (lot) higher then I figured... thoughts?

My friend did his oil filter housing gasket, he said the actual gasket is only a few bux

I called my 2 shops in Denver. $1275 and $1300.

[batlin]

I decided to do it my self, this weekend will be set aside for it. Thermostat, water pump and taking care of the oil filter housing as well and an oilchange... $600 in parts we will see how it goes