The BMW engines inline 6 cylinder N51 N52 N54 N55 are equipped with electric water pump. This allows the DME to fully control and modulate the coolant flow through the engine without dependency on RPM.
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How much does it cost to replace BMW water pump?
Taking all these points into consideration, you can expect to pay anywhere from $375 to $787 (including parts and labor).
How do I know if my BMW need a water pump?
- Coolant Leaks.
- High-pitched Whining Sounds.
- Engine Overheating.
- Steam Coming From The Radiator.
- Higher Mileage.
- Routine Maintenance.
- Regular Coolant Changes.
- Any Change In Your BMW’s Performance.
Why do BMW water pumps Fail?
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 does a BMW water pump last?
On these water pumps, we suggest replacement at the 80,000 mile interval. Failure usually occurs very soon after the car hits this milage mark.
Is it worth fixing a water pump?
Is It Worth Fixing My Water Pump? Absolutely, unless your engine has significant damage from overheating. If your vehicle is in good shape and you plan to keep it on the road for a while, it is crucial that you get the water pump replaced as soon as possible in order to prevent much greater damage.
What are signs that your water pump is failing?
Coolant Leak The water pump has several gaskets that can be damaged or worn out over time. In this case, coolant may leak out and drip under the vehicle. If you notice coolant (in most cases green or red liquid) under the center front of your vehicle, it’s time to check the water pump.
Can you drive a BMW without a water pump?
It is possible to drive your vehicle without a water pump, but not good to. Some people in the racing circuit or who drive racing vehicles purposefully remove their water pumps to obtain more horsepower to their engine. If you are driving a vehicle for everyday use though, a water pump is a must.
Does my BMW have an electric water pump?
BMWs are equipped with an electric water pump, which tends to be more efficient than traditional water pumps; however, it’s important to enlist the help of a BMW specialist to ensure that the correct protocol is followed for BMW’s specific standard of care when your water pump begins failing or requires servicing.
Is there a recall on BMW water pump?
Recall summary Because of the faulty design of the recall cars, the circuit board controlling the pump may overheat and start burning the water pump when working in high temperatures. This could potentially result in an engine fire and also cause the pumps to fail.
Does BMW have two water pumps?
All the big BMW’s with mechanical main water pumps are fitted with an auxiliary water pump – these are used to provide two functions – they increase the flow of coolant around the cabin heater when the engine is idling, and they also keeps the coolant flowing when the engine is switched OFF so that the cabin can be …
What are the 3 ways a water pump can fail?
- IMPROPER USE OF SEALS/GASKETS OR SEALANT.
- BAD OR WRONG COOLANT.
- DEFECTIVE OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BELT DRIVE COMPONENTS.
What noise does a failing water pump make?
Whining or Groaning Noise A whining or groaning noise usually means that either a drive belt is loose, or the water pump pulley is bad. It may surprise your customer that a pulley could fail, but it does occasionally happen.
How many hours does it take to replace a water pump?
Fixing a broken water pump can take anywhere from two hours to most of a day. A simple replacement should take around two hours, but more complicated work trying to fix a water pump (which will save you money on parts) can take four or more hours.
What causes a water pump to go out?
Water pumps can fail prematurely due to corrosion inside the cooling system or from an imbalanced water-pump shaft. If there’s a mechanical fan mounted on the water-pump shaft, vibrations are the result of a bent fan blade, which can lead to the shaft cracking or breaking. A bent pulley also can cause the same damage.
Can you drive with a damaged water pump?
It is never recommended to drive a vehicle with a broken water pump, but in an emergency, you are able to drive extremely short distances. Experts recommend not traveling more than 5 minutes down the road. However, if you must make the drive, take frequent stops and try to do it during the coolest time of the day.
When replacing a water pump What else should you replace?
So when the water pump must be replaced, it is a good idea to go ahead and also replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys.
How do I check my water pump?

What happens when water pump goes bad?
A bad water pump can cause an engine to overheat. But it is equally important to inspect the belt drive system that is driving the water pump. A bad belt and tensioner cause premature bearing and shaft failure and as such drastically reduce pump life.
Can a water pump fail without leaking?
Yes. The bearings can wear out and seize. The impeller can fail. Neither will cause a leak and both prevent proper flow.
Is replacing car water pump easy?
While removing the pump is not difficult, you must have experience removing and replacing timing belts and their various components. It takes just as much work to get down to the timing belt as it does the water pump, therefore you should plan on replacing the belt at the same time.
How do I know if I need a new water pump?
- Leaking Coolant. A coolant leak coming from the front and center is probably coming from the water pump.
- Rust and Corrosion. Age doesn’t work in the water pump’s favor, either, when it comes to rust and corrosion.
- Whining Noises.
- Overheating Engine.
- Radiator Steam.
Can water pump cause engine failure?
Without a correctly running water pump, your engine will overheat in the summer or freeze in the winter. This can not only cause damage to the gaskets, cylinder heads and pistons, it often results in total engine failure.
What year did BMW start using electric water pumps?
Electric pumps do have a place on street-driven cars, in fact BMW began using electric water pumps around 2007 and several other manufacturers are working on similar versions.
Does BMW still use plastic water pumps?
There are no plastic pumps anymore. Nowadays the a composite impellers and that is original BMW. The early M50/M52 engines had a serious weak point: the water pump = the plastic impeller in the water pump. This would degrade over time and eventually break apart.