ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Engine, Exhaust, Drivetrain Modifications
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-20-2020, 11:32 PM   #1
tempotantrum
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: 2006 z4 3.0si Montego Blue
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Iowa

iTrader: (0)

Would you change the Water Pump

Hi All- Going to take my 2006 3.0si 6spd mt Z4 in for some needed maintenance (fluids & inspection). It has 56000 on it and has given me zero problems in the 4 years I have had it (other than the top motor - but that is another issue). My question is - after reading many threads - I cant decide if I should proactively change the electric water pump & tstat or wait until i get put on the roadside. It isnt the 56K that worries me, it is the 14 years of age. It is a weekend car mostly and it only driven about 3k per year. Any other preventative items you would do on a 14 yr old Z4 with 56K? I do change the oil & filter myself each spring - so that has always been done, but other than a coolant flush & brake fluid 3 yrs ago and an air filter, I have had to do nothing. Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2020, 12:18 AM   #2
WickedNy
Get Some
WickedNy's Avatar
United_States
225
Rep
759
Posts

Drives: 07 Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Long Island

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
07 z4 3.0si  [0.00]
Preventative maintenance never hurts
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2020, 03:36 AM   #3
wdb
dances with roads
wdb's Avatar
4673
Rep
4,090
Posts

Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: the perimeter

iTrader: (4)

Having been let down by a 14 year old water pump I say do it. Get rid of the plastic thermostat housing while you're in there.
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2020, 11:47 AM   #4
filtercoffee
I like Coffee & Z4s.
106
Rep
366
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New York, NY

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2007 BMW Z4MC  [0.00]
I wouldn't. It's not an infamous issue and I suspect electrical motors / pumps are more usage-driven wear items rather than age-driven. I also really dislike anything that involves draining coolant.
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2020, 02:37 PM   #5
Mantraxalos
Second Lieutenant
78
Rep
244
Posts

Drives: 2006 330i Manual
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Detroit

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 Z4 3.0i  [0.00]
2006 330I  [0.00]
It has been mentioned the electric water pumps appear to last longer on the E85 and E86 models perhaps due to less cramped conditions and more airflow - so less heat. I have 156k miles on mine and I've been getting water pump codes now found in INPA. So my pump will be changed very soon. Unless yours is showing error codes I would keep using it.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2020, 12:25 PM   #6
T-Bears
Private
T-Bears's Avatar
United_States
43
Rep
98
Posts

Drives: E85 2.5i
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Whatever is more convenient for you. In general, water pumps can last but some don't. If you have the time why not. If it's an everyday car I would probably replace it, but if it's a weekend car like you mentioned it can wait at least for me.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2020, 04:53 PM   #7
rjahl
Colonel
rjahl's Avatar
996
Rep
2,287
Posts

Drives: Z4 35is
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Bears View Post
Whatever is more convenient for you. In general, water pumps can last but some don't. If you have the time why not. If it's an everyday car I would probably replace it, but if it's a weekend car like you mentioned it can wait at least for me.
Just evaluate your risks, when the pumps fails you are broken down and stranded.

If you don't go far from home and the towing cost is not much, it's your second car etc it's easier to wait.
Appreciate 1
T-Bears42.50
      08-31-2020, 07:07 PM   #8
T-Bears
Private
T-Bears's Avatar
United_States
43
Rep
98
Posts

Drives: E85 2.5i
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjahl View Post
Just evaluate your risks, when the pumps fails you are broken down and stranded.

If you don't go far from home and the towing cost is not much, it's your second car etc it's easier to wait.
O.P.'s car is 56k and modern water pumps will last up 80-100k easy, right now I'm still using my original water pump on with 140k. With all that life left plus being driven 3k a year with proper flush there is really no risk to worry about. He has plenty of time to plan for a replacement.

It's going to come down to will it be convenient for him to change it now or later?I could understand if his water pump is pushing 80k, but at the rate of 3k a year of driving he has another 7-8 years before he needs to really worry about it.

Tempotantrum, if you change your coolant religiously you should be fine for a while it will prolong the life of the bearings in your WP. However, if you have the extra time now why not? I'll leave it at that.

Last edited by T-Bears; 08-31-2020 at 07:15 PM..
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2020, 07:23 PM   #9
rjahl
Colonel
rjahl's Avatar
996
Rep
2,287
Posts

Drives: Z4 35is
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Bears View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjahl View Post
Just evaluate your risks, when the pumps fails you are broken down and stranded.

If you don't go far from home and the towing cost is not much, it's your second car etc it's easier to wait.
O.P.'s car is 56k and modern water pumps will last up 80-100k easy, right now I'm still using my original water pump on with 140k. With all that life left plus being driven 3k a year with proper flush there is really no risk to worry about. He has plenty of time to plan for a replacement.

It's going to come down to will it be convenient for him to change it now or later?I could understand if his water pump is pushing 80k, but at the rate of 3k a year of driving he has another 7-8 years before he needs to really worry about it.

Tempotantrum, if you change your coolant religiously you should be fine for a while it will prolong the life of the bearings in your WP.
But it's not bearing failure that's the problem. The electronics died on mine at 70,000 and 43 miles from home. It was also my daily. Had to barrow a car until I could get the parts and replace. My old commute was 43 miles each way.

Back then money was tight and workshop fees were not an option.

This was on the E85 that has better airflow in the engine bay. Drove the on the replacement pump for another five years or 130k before trading up cars.

Funny enough, I had my E89 for three days and the water pump failed. Yep 32,000 miles and 4 years old. Extended warranty covered the towing pump and loaner.

I don't normally believe in replacing good parts, I was simply advocating risk evaluation.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2020, 08:03 PM   #10
T-Bears
Private
T-Bears's Avatar
United_States
43
Rep
98
Posts

Drives: E85 2.5i
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjahl View Post
But it's not bearing failure that's the problem. The electronics died on mine at 70,000 and 43 miles from home. It was also my daily. Had to barrow a car until I could get the parts and replace. My old commute was 43 miles each way.

Back then money was tight and workshop fees were not an option.

This was on the E85 that has better airflow in the engine bay. Drove the on the replacement pump for another five years or 130k before trading up cars.

Funny enough, I had my E89 for three days and the water pump failed. Yep 32,000 miles and 4 years old. Extended warranty covered the towing pump and loaner.

I don't normally believe in replacing good parts, I was simply advocating risk evaluation.
I used to work for a German shop before college and out of 30 WP installs there was a time I replaced a water pump with bad electronics it had about 76k and it happens no doubt the coolant got into the electrical area. No one really knows when things go bad just like your water pump going out at 32k.

I guess we'll find out soon enough if the OP will have the time or money to install or take it to the shop.

Was your E89 Manual or auto? I looked online the new Z4 will only be offered in auto. Auto is nice but two of my cars are auto, a 6sp manual Z4 would be nice.
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2020, 11:28 AM   #11
rjahl
Colonel
rjahl's Avatar
996
Rep
2,287
Posts

Drives: Z4 35is
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 Z4 35is  [0.00]
My Z4 3.5IS has the DCT. I love the DCT, shifts fast, on demand and hard. Exhaust note during a shift is near perfect for me.

I let my wife drive my cars and she does not like standards. Compromises people make to stay married for nearly 30 years.
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 04:48 PM.




zpost
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