Bad water pump or something else?

borisivan · 06-11-2018, 04:43 PM

While I wait for AAA, might as well post...

BMW just changed coolant 5 days ago. (Car was fine, they just recommended based on miles)

Today, I'm 4 minutes in to my commute, and the overheating icon comes on. Needle is barely starting to nudge off the coolest point, as if engine was just warming up. 5 seconds later, "has overheated must pull over" icon, needle still indicating warmup.

Pull over, open hood. Fan running like crazy, but no steam/engine didn't feel hot.

A bit of clear fluid leaking out near coolant fill area.

Any ideas? 150,000 miles. 2010 e90. Was running fine before coolant change.

halik008 · 06-11-2018, 04:49 PM

when did you replace your water pump last?

borisivan · 06-11-2018, 04:51 PM

Never.

I take it you suspect water pump.

TemjinX2 · 06-11-2018, 05:13 PM

did you go through the bmw water pump bleeding procedure after you change your coolant? could be air bubbles in the system.

i would give it a shot...its 20min and a very easy procedure. just youtube search for the procedure.

GoRomeo · 06-11-2018, 05:17 PM

There is no something else... its your water pump! you popped your cherry! congrats!

halik008 · 06-11-2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

did you go through the bmw water pump bleeding procedure after you change your coolant? could be air bubbles in the system.

i would give it a shot...its 20min and a very easy procedure. just youtube search for the procedure.

the system self bleeds. Any overheating would automatically trigger the water pump

halik008 · 06-11-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

There is no something else... its your water pump! you popped your cherry! congrats!

yup at 150k with no known prior replacement you can bet it's the pump

TemjinX2 · 06-11-2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halik008

the system self bleeds. Any overheating would automatically trigger the water pump

no, its recommended by bmw to have the electric pump bleed the air bubbles for you when your changing coolant or after installing a water pump.

trapped air bubbles can cause the coolant to over heat.

anyways, its a push of a few buttons and 20min of your time.....why wouldn't you do it.

halik008 · 06-11-2018, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

no, its recommended by bmw to have the electric pump bleed the air bubbles for you when your changing coolant or after installing a water pump.

trapped air bubbles can cause the coolant to over heat.

anyways, its a push of a few buttons and 20min of your time.....why wouldn't you do it.

trap bubbles cannot cause coolant to overheat. BMW doesn't put their coolant sensor at the highest point of the system. That's where bubbles are found. Only possible way a bubble can cause coolant to overheat is if it sits over the sensor.

msjt · 06-12-2018, 07:59 AM

Read the shadow codes. Only way to know for sure.

Jaronbwall · 06-13-2018, 08:06 AM

Are you in limp mode? When my pump went out last year it would not get into boost. Full throttle was like 35mph. Loud fan noise from the radiator. Fixed it my self and saved at least $1000.

borisivan · 06-13-2018, 11:03 AM

It went into limp mode on the warning that was something like "starting to overheat drive with caution" and went into ultra-limp mode about 10 seconds later when the warning changed to "your car is overheating, pull over immediately". At least that's what it seemed like, but both events were over a 10-15 second period total, so I might be mistaken.

It was far from the indy, had it towed to the dealership nearby. Didn't get a chance to check for shadow codes. I have the BT cable, but never got the car home to check.

Heard back from the dealership today, sure enough, water pump.

The symptom to note is that the needle (engine temp) was just starting to warm up, but the on-screen warnings are measured by coolant temp, which must have been heating close to the engine and since the pump is dead, not circulating and getting cooled.... or at least that's what I'm guessing was occurring.

Thanks for the advice and responses.

GoRomeo · 06-13-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borisivan

It went into limp mode on the warning that was something like "starting to overheat drive with caution" and went into ultra-limp mode about 10 seconds later when the warning changed to "your car is overheating, pull over immediately". At least that's what it seemed like, but both events were over a 10-15 second period total, so I might be mistaken.

It was far from the indy, had it towed to the dealership nearby. Didn't get a chance to check for shadow codes. I have the BT cable, but never got the car home to check.

Heard back from the dealership today, sure enough, water pump.

The symptom to note is that the needle (engine temp) was just starting to warm up, but the on-screen warnings are measured by coolant temp, which must have been heating close to the engine and since the pump is dead, not circulating and getting cooled.... or at least that's what I'm guessing was occurring.

Thanks for the advice and responses.

dont forget to replace your thermostat too.

Jklad · 06-14-2018, 09:33 AM

Definatley have them replace the thermostat also. Have them replace the crappy rubber overflow hose on top, as well as the radiator hose it connects into on the front passenger side - they both often crack and are inexpensive.

If it was me I'd throw in a new expansion tank as well at you mileage, maybe even a new radiator (getting carried away, I know). This way your cooling system is all set for a long while.

06-11-2018, 04:43 PM	#1
borisivan craptastic 19 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 2010 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: hell in a handbasket iTrader: (0)	Bad water pump or something else? While I wait for AAA, might as well post... BMW just changed coolant 5 days ago. (Car was fine, they just recommended based on miles) Today, I'm 4 minutes in to my commute, and the overheating icon comes on. Needle is barely starting to nudge off the coolest point, as if engine was just warming up. 5 seconds later, "has overheated must pull over" icon, needle still indicating warmup. Pull over, open hood. Fan running like crazy, but no steam/engine didn't feel hot. A bit of clear fluid leaking out near coolant fill area. Any ideas? 150,000 miles. 2010 e90. Was running fine before coolant change.
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06-11-2018, 04:49 PM	#2
halik008 Private First Class 58 Rep 143 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	when did you replace your water pump last?
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06-11-2018, 04:51 PM	#3
borisivan craptastic 19 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 2010 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: hell in a handbasket iTrader: (0)	Never. I take it you suspect water pump.
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06-11-2018, 05:13 PM	#4
TemjinX2 Major 521 Rep 1,484 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi e92 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Socal OC iTrader: (0)	did you go through the bmw water pump bleeding procedure after you change your coolant? could be air bubbles in the system. i would give it a shot...its 20min and a very easy procedure. just youtube search for the procedure.
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06-11-2018, 05:17 PM	#5
GoRomeo Brigadier General 976 Rep 3,872 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	There is no something else... its your water pump! you popped your cherry! congrats!
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06-12-2018, 07:59 AM	#10
msjt First Lieutenant 160 Rep 305 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: queens, nyc iTrader: (0)	Read the shadow codes. Only way to know for sure.
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06-13-2018, 08:06 AM	#11
Jaronbwall Driving cars and riding bikes really fast 285 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Are you in limp mode? When my pump went out last year it would not get into boost. Full throttle was like 35mph. Loud fan noise from the radiator. Fixed it my self and saved at least $1000. __________________ 335i, sport pkg, 3 pedals, Blacked out, LED markers, OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Firestone Indy 500s, x-pipe, vibrant 1792, PE mod MHD stage 2+, BMS DPs, ARM charge pipe, Tial BOV, ARM FMIC, dual cone, CSF radiator, M3 control arms, sways, HAWK pads. https://www.strava.com/athletes/8309149 Follow me on Strava
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06-13-2018, 11:03 AM	#12
borisivan craptastic 19 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 2010 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: hell in a handbasket iTrader: (0)	thanks for the replies! Yes, was water pump It went into limp mode on the warning that was something like "starting to overheat drive with caution" and went into ultra-limp mode about 10 seconds later when the warning changed to "your car is overheating, pull over immediately". At least that's what it seemed like, but both events were over a 10-15 second period total, so I might be mistaken. It was far from the indy, had it towed to the dealership nearby. Didn't get a chance to check for shadow codes. I have the BT cable, but never got the car home to check. Heard back from the dealership today, sure enough, water pump. The symptom to note is that the needle (engine temp) was just starting to warm up, but the on-screen warnings are measured by coolant temp, which must have been heating close to the engine and since the pump is dead, not circulating and getting cooled.... or at least that's what I'm guessing was occurring. Thanks for the advice and responses.
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06-14-2018, 09:33 AM	#14
Jklad Lieutenant Colonel 421 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Palatine, IL iTrader: (0)	Definatley have them replace the thermostat also. Have them replace the crappy rubber overflow hose on top, as well as the radiator hose it connects into on the front passenger side - they both often crack and are inexpensive. If it was me I'd throw in a new expansion tank as well at you mileage, maybe even a new radiator (getting carried away, I know). This way your cooling system is all set for a long while. __________________ 2007 E92 335i MT
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