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      09-09-2016, 01:23 AM   #23
Braumin
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Just be careful - my dealership tried to charge me full labor for the water pump and full labor again for the thermostat. I doubt an indy would ever do that though.
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      09-21-2016, 04:23 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadman50 View Post
My question is this: If it's an electric pump, could it be a loose wire connection to the pump? How do you know that the pump is bad without physically taking it out?
The Pump is not just a motor with 2 wires. It has controller and connected over BSD network to DME. If DME detects any electrical malfunction than error code recorded. It can not detect mechanical problem though. If pump stops pumping due to mechanical problem, ECU will never know that.
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      09-29-2016, 07:52 PM   #25
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I was reading this post a few weeks ago out of town during Labor Day weekend. Lo and behold on the drive back the pump took a shit on us 190 miles away from our house. Luckily, we were on a major highway and pulled over to a gas station to get a tow.

The vehicle only had 55k miles on it and we recently purchased it CPO. It's a shame that 1) these pumps go out this early on a vehicle of this caliber 2) BMW CPO didn't switch out the pump prior to selling it CPO, leaving the buyer holding the bag, even though I'm sure BMW knows about the pump failure rates
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      09-30-2016, 09:25 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F30ed View Post
The Pump is not just a motor with 2 wires. It has controller and connected over BSD network to DME. If DME detects any electrical malfunction than error code recorded. It can not detect mechanical problem though. If pump stops pumping due to mechanical problem, ECU will never know that.
Except it will by means of water temp sensors located on the engine and the radiator. If there is no coolant flow water temp sensors will show this. The fault stored will be for the coolant pump mechanically blocked.
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      09-30-2016, 06:40 PM   #27
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My car had 57,700 miles when the pump went out. The same old story of hot, then red "engine overheat call for service".

My given pricing and labor. So the part number for it was:
11-51-7-632-426 coolant pump $533.05
11-53-7-586-784 thermostat $117.67
11-51-0-392-553 set of alum screws $8.86
82-14-1-467-704 coolant $24.98
Labor $715 for 5.50 hours.
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      10-01-2016, 09:19 AM   #28
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My waterpump also failed me on my '13 X3 35i with 104k km when I was driving home on the highway I got a heat warning followed by a engine too hot, pull over warning. Took it to the dealer and had the waterpump replaced.
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      10-02-2016, 10:49 AM   #29
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I think the unfortunate part is that it fails too early to be a preventative measure. I wouldn't advise anyone to do this service EVERY 50k miles. That would be too much I think. Plus, some people go much further on the pump.

As a side note, the n54 and n55 have the same water pump. I have an N54 car that has 81k on it. Hope it lasts.
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      10-02-2016, 11:14 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malicem3 View Post
If you have a N55, this is definitely something you will have to replace between 50-100k. I have preventatively replaced these in all my other BMWs including my N54 335 which went out at ~78k.
Here is the procedure to replace your coolant pump from ISTAD Rheingold.

See the attached PDF.
Attached Images
File Type: pdf replacecoolantpump.pdf (1.49 MB, 1435 views)
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      10-02-2016, 04:57 PM   #31
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It seems this has happened mostly to the 35i's. Is it the same for the 28i's as well?
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      10-02-2016, 05:47 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJake View Post
It seems this has happened mostly to the 35i's. Is it the same for the 28i's as well?
28i's have their own issues. So far, water pump failure isn't one of them.
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      10-04-2016, 12:52 PM   #33
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Pump and thermostat failed at 44,740.

Had the 2013 X3 28i in for thermostat and turbo oil line replacement last Friday. Got almost home and heard the fan roaring. Back in Monday for water pump replacement. All under warranty and the dealership in Asheville, NC took good care of us. They sent a driver to pick the car on Monday since we had just had the thermostat done on Friday. 5 stars.
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      10-04-2016, 08:41 PM   #34
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Got mine replaced a couple weeks ago. Thermostat too. So far so good. I have a very long drive coming up this December so glad it happened now instead of on the road somewhere. That would suck to have to pay a dealer to do the work. I got mine done by my local indie mech. But it still wasn't cheap. I wonder what other common type's of repairs will be needed when the mileage starts creeping towards 80-100K.
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      10-06-2016, 01:30 PM   #35
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So if it craps out on you and you are out in nowhere, will you car limp along or are you out of luck?
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      10-19-2016, 09:35 PM   #36
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hmm - few weeks ago i was driving on highway - overheat warning came on - i pulled over, let it cool down - didnt take long - i was originally going to turn and go home, but I drove my X3 the rest of the way, and every day since without any additional warning - I haven't seen the temp gauge above half since.

I posted about it on another thread

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1160245

based on this thread, seems like I need to replace my waterpump. fortunately I have extended drivetrain warranty which should hopefully cover this - for those of you that this happened to - did you get the warning repeatedly? mine has only happened once, but it woudl seem its only a matter of time until it does again.

2nd time I am def taking it in.

Thanks

Greg
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      10-25-2016, 08:58 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJake View Post
So if it craps out on you and you are out in nowhere, will you car limp along or are you out of luck?
Out of luck. Need a tow.
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      10-26-2016, 12:34 AM   #38
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My 35i is built april 2014 as a MY15 X4 35i.

Same crappy pump/supplier, or have they managed to sort out?
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      11-28-2016, 09:07 AM   #39
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I posted this on another thread first week of october
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1160245

"This just happened to me for the first time. I searched this forum which lead me here.

I was driving 50 miles into a 100 mile weekend highway drive, my overheat alarm went off - never happened before. The temp gauge was at or just above the 250F mid point. it seems like it usually about the 3/8 mark up to just under 250 - never touching it in the past, but I don't look at it all that often.

today when this happened, the computer cut power to the engine, i pulled over, shut down. first i restarted to see if it was just a sensor, still overheat alarm, so i shut down let it cool off for 5 mins - no steam or leaking fluids, and after 5 mins or so I started backup, no alarm, gauge was down some. At first I was going to drive just far enough to get off the highway like the next exit with service, but everything seemed ok and i completed my drive there and back later on

on the rest of the drive to where I was going, temp gauge seemed a little closer to 250 than normal - at one point i thought it was going to hit 250, alert me and I was going to replay the cool down on the side of the road as described above. never happened, i made it no problem other than a little nervous.

on the way home later tonight, 96 miles, no problems. at or just above 3/8 mark the whole way - i must say i paid more attention to that gauge today than in the last 5 years combined.

After seeing this i'm confident if it happens again I can pull over and cool down without overheat.

I may see if it happens again before seeking service - not sure, will be going to a shop for tires in a week or so - not sure if dealer or indy - my service center has a deal on install/mount that may actually be cheaper - more on that on a tire thread.

looking at the repairs some of you have done, it would seem to make the most sense to just replace the thermostat if it starts happening again would prefer to not replace the pump unless thats really going to fix it. this problem really seems like a stuck thermostat - seems like a more common problem long ago.

also, looks like this thread is mostly 35i's ?

mine is 2011 35i w/ 56k - very few issues in 5 years."

had a pretty quiet month - no issues, but i would notice a fan or pump motor running on and off and at odd times under the hood. actually made service appt for Weds anyway based on the motor/pump running. I hadn't driven anywhere of distance since. Well this past Saturday - i drove 200 miles round trip - had to pull over a few times w/ engine high temp warning - only thru the onboard computer - temp gage (which I believe measures engine oil temp) was normal (below half) and every time i pulled over I would hear the pump motor running like crazy. but ever sitting a minute or 2 i could restart and continue on.

only doing light local driving until my service appt weds, I suspect my 2011 35i is next for a new water pump though

Let's hope the extended powertrain warranty covers it. 57.5k I have some more road trips coming up, needs to be fixed. stay tuned.

Greg
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      11-29-2016, 10:14 AM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greg2step View Post
I posted this on another thread first week of october
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1160245

Let's hope the extended powertrain warranty covers it. 57.5k I have some more road trips coming up, needs to be fixed. stay tuned.

Greg
If by extended warranty you mean CPO it is covered. Mine was replaced under CPO. Don't chance it. Take it in to be replaced. The dealer can read the codes as they did mine and saw that the pump was failing. You don't have to wait until it happens again.
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      12-01-2016, 01:58 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by momoboy View Post
If by extended warranty you mean CPO it is covered. Mine was replaced under CPO. Don't chance it. Take it in to be replaced. The dealer can read the codes as they did mine and saw that the pump was failing. You don't have to wait until it happens again.
No - not CPO

I am the original owner of my X3, ordered it new 5 years ago. I have an extended warranty through BMW that i purchased before the 4 year 50,000mile coverage ran out. We can debates the merits of extended warranties on another thread, in fact sometimes i wondered if I should have bought it or not... however today i am feeling good about it.

Verdict is in from BMW Service Center

its the water pump (officially add my 35i to the list) $950 repair - warranty will cover it - the extended plan has a $50 deductible, i can live w/ that.

I did some searching - this thread just talks about X3 35i water pump failures, there is a similar thread for almost every car/suv that BMW has used this engine. I had to pull over as a result of this which is never really safe, perhaps someone should investigate a recall...

oh well, mine is getting fixed.

Greg
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      01-07-2017, 12:11 PM   #42
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Water pump failure and thermostat replacement

AT 67K miles on my 2011 X3 (N55 motor), I have a faulty water pump so its going to cost me $430 and $ 109 for pump and thermostat respectively. Labor is another 4 hr so $400 here in San Jose CA.

I thought of doing it myself, but since the access is from the bottom so I decided to let a auto mechanic do it. You really don't need to replace the thermostat but since its a 4 hr labor job to reach it , you might as well, and keep the old one if it still works for later.
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      01-07-2017, 12:41 PM   #43
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posted water pump complaints on NHTSA website

Hi Guys,
I have complained to the NHTSA government website about the premature water pump failure, you guys should do so too so that we can get BMW to admit to the faulty pump design and issue a recall and reimburse those of us who have already paid for repairs out of warranty.

The agency checks how many people have the same issue and then investigates it. Given that all of us here on this forum and other BMW owners now know that this pump failure is a commonly known issue, I believe we have a good chance of getting BMW to take responsibility.

Here is the link to begin your complaint:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/?

Last edited by rohan_b79; 01-10-2017 at 11:55 AM..
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      01-15-2017, 08:53 AM   #44
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I had the water pump go out on my 2011 X3 35. Thinking I could do it my self from videos I ran into the same issue that the OP did. There is no way to bring it down from the bottom. I am currently running through the procedure that was posted (the PDF) and I will say that procedure SUCKS but it does get you on the right path. I have the water pump currently removed and replaced and just need to get the new thermostat in. Me and a buddy spend 4 hours yesterday cussing BMW. I will post when I have it complete.
Is it tough, yes. Can you do it, Yes I am by no means a mechanic and my friend as well. He does a lot of work on his own 335i and was nice enough to help (mainly to get another set of eyes on how to do it). Its all done from under the car but we actually were able to pull the Water up up the top rather than out the bottom.
I will post when I am done and if anyone has any questions please let me know.
I am also doing the oil filter gasket and coolant gasket at the same time.
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