Quick question. DO you have to remove the harmonic balancer to...

[Estroil 4.8is]

to install a new water pump? I did a quick search and did couldn't find a definite yes or no. I woke up to my X5 having a wet dream. There was a puddle of coolant underneath the engine. I did some probbing under there and could see some wetness coming from the bottom of the pump and dripping off the block. It looks easy enough to remove but is the balancer in the way? Thanks

[noncom23]

Nice write up.

[fast4d]

you need to remove the balancer to get to the bottom bolt. it's not difficult at all to remove with the torx driver. you might be able to do it without but it'll probably take longer.

[Estroil 4.8is]

Originally Posted by fast4d

you need to remove the balancer to get to the bottom bolt. it's not difficult at all to remove with the torx driver. you might be able to do it without but it'll probably take longer.

To remove the balancer do I just unbolt the smaller bolts then the center one? Do I need a 3 legged gear puller or is there bolts holes to mount a gear puller? Is the gear puller needed at all? Any more insight would be great.

[fast4d]

I don't recall removing a center bolt (if there is one). no gear puller needed it came off after the torx bolts. I did reclock it exactly the same just in case.