Water Pump Failure after 10K miles

RMBags · #1 05-05-2009, 01:17 PM

Guys...can you all clarify two issues?

1) Confirm whether or not the 2 year parts warranty is correct. If so, then my indie mechanic who purchased the failed water pump should be able to get it replaced at no cost assuming he bought it from a BMW dealer parts department

.

2) What are the specs for the belt tensioner on the water pump? Would too loose or too tight cause premature failure?

BTW...looks as though the problem was a bearing failure in the pump. Thanks for all the input!

euro96 · #2 11-01-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMBags

Guys...can you all clarify two issues?

1) Confirm whether or not the 2 year parts warranty is correct. If so, then my indie mechanic who purchased the failed water pump should be able to get it replaced at no cost assuming he bought it from a BMW dealer parts department

.

2) What are the specs for the belt tensioner on the water pump? Would too loose or too tight cause premature failure?

BTW...looks as though the problem was a bearing failure in the pump. Thanks for all the input!

Guys, I need your help!!!!
I just paid the dealer $1500 to replace the alternator, and within 2 days of having the car back, I find out my water pump main bearing has failed!! Dealer says this is unrelated and wants $1370 to replace!!!
What are the odds??? Could they have tightened the belts too much causing this failure?

Car is a 2004 with 110,000 miles

Any thoughts???? Please help guys - thank you

RMak · #3 11-01-2011, 11:09 PM

You need to find an Indie mechanic asap. You're getting ripped off back and forth. $1500 to replace an Alternator is highway robbery!

euro96 · #4 11-02-2011, 02:58 PM

Any help guys?

Can improper belt tension cause water pump bearing failure?

Dan Fowler · #5 11-02-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by euro96

Any help guys?

Can improper belt tension cause water pump bearing failure?

Not a mechanic but;
Is not the belt tension determined by a tensioner pulley?
Wouldn't 110k more likely be the cause?
I paid 1300 bucks for a new alternator at the dealer, including 1 door ding removal.

Good luck.

euro96 · #6 11-03-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Fowler

Not a mechanic but;
Is not the belt tension determined by a tensioner pulley?
Wouldn't 110k more likely be the cause?
I paid 1300 bucks for a new alternator at the dealer, including 1 door ding removal.

Good luck.

I would still assume that you could screw up then tension though. The mechanic managed to leave the radiator completely loose as well, which I had to tighten down.

I know the mileage is high, but really, failure within hours of them messing with the belt system after the alternator repair?

I'm going to try and get the dealer to pay for the water pump, I'll let everyone know how it goes

chilliwilli · #7 11-04-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by euro96

I would still assume that you could screw up then tension though. The mechanic managed to leave the radiator completely loose as well, which I had to tighten down.

I know the mileage is high, but really, failure within hours of them messing with the belt system after the alternator repair?

I'm going to try and get the dealer to pay for the water pump, I'll let everyone know how it goes

I suggest you don't waste your time...it won't end well. It's perfectly normal for such a thing to happen, imo. I've definitely experienced it and learned that hard way that often times it's better to address a problem immediately as delaying will cause consequential damage to other components. There are other variables more likely to have caused the water pump failure than dealer negligence.

You've essentially received the same definitive answer that the dealer will give you...as a BMW certified tech (killcrap) just answered your question to improper belt tension causing water pump bearing failure.

My 2 tuppence...