Window regulator AND water pump explode within 24 hours of each other!

ALE53 · #1 06-25-2010, 06:12 PM

I love my 01 3.0, as it's NEVER been fixed once in 108,000 miles, save and except a front window regulator. I sold my S500 in May as I never drive it, and started thinking about getting the wife a newer X3 or 335i coupe to replace the X5 while it's still worth some money. I have an RX300 and a 76 Landcruiser I can put around in.......

We even looked at and drove a 3 coupe yesterday for her.

Of course, on our way home from dinner the rear window regulator croaked and the window dropped down into the door. OK, I'll fix that, no big deal. It's not raining in TX this summer. I got up early and went to a business meeting this AM. My wife calls me about three hours later saying the X5 is making a TERRIBLE noise and that I should come to her office to look at it. I told her park it and wait. Any warning lights on? How's the temp look? All OK. Hmmmmmm.

I arrive at the scene and start the car, and man what a racket. The damn cooling fan is flying around on the water pump shaft like a bat out of hell. Looks like a broken pump shaft to me. I had the car towed to my buddy's shop and ordered a new Bosch water pump and a window regulator online, shipped next day air for about $200 from partsgeek.com, to my surprise. Normally I'd do this in my garage, but having every tool on earth at your disposal and a lift is soooooooooooo nice. Hopefully the radiator and fan, etc. aren't all chewed up. She did not drive the car but 40-50 yds max to park it once the racket started in the engine compartment. Any pointers from you guys who have already tackled this?

Tomorrow will be a hot one, so I'm starting as soon as UPS shows up. Wish me luck!

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wallyx5 · #2 06-26-2010, 12:12 AM

Changing the water pump is pretty easy. Just follow the steps on the forum hear. You may want to change the belts while you are there and you will need of BMW coolant. I decided to upgrade my pulleys while I was at it to Turner pulleys. One of my best mods yet, it made a nice performance gain.

ALE53 · #3 06-26-2010, 03:30 PM

Thanks Wally I did see your post and the DIYs on the water pump for the I6. This X5 is my 7th BMW and I've religiously worked on them all, even my M5. I started a company 3 years ago and have not had any time to devote to anything but my Landcruiser restoration and build up. I guess it is time get back into "work on my bimmer mode"and knock this out. I hope to frack the fan clutch is reusable as I didn't order one....

I'll post what happens when parts get here on Mon.

papasmurf · #4 06-27-2010, 02:44 PM

Might as well do the hoses, expansion tank, and the expansion tank bracket if the radiator's shot too. All that stuff goes around the same time, so just do it in one shot.

ALE53 · #5 06-27-2010, 03:27 PM

It's damn friggin' hot. I'm trying to remove the shroud with zero luck. Can't get at the 4 fan bolts at all. One is totally loose. The fan is cocked off at an angle so the shroud won't clear the blades, and the under engine pan was full of the needle rollers from the waterpump bearing that exploded. I could not reach the either the 10mm bolts on the fan clutch assembly or the 32mm main bolt as my wrenches were all too fat. I'm going to get all my parts tomorrow and go look for a long 10mm and a long 32mm. Am I at least going in the right direction? The good news is I got the rear window regulator out and ready for the new one. Something fell out of the door. What is this?

Expansion tank, pulleys and serp belts and hoses are new. Radiator is pristine still.

Frack!!!

FSETH · #6 06-27-2010, 10:02 PM

^ That piece that fell out of your door helps hold the door panel to the door. It is located somewhat in the middle of the door where the grab bar is. Here is a photo of it attached to the door frame tab after I removed the panel. I think you are supposed to attach it to the door panel then push it on the metal tab.

ALE53 · #7 06-27-2010, 10:08 PM

THANKS! I'm looking for the most detailed 3.0 water pump removal writeup. I'm still not clear on removing the fan and whether it has to be done with the belt still on?

FSETH · #8 06-27-2010, 11:59 PM

I am in the process of replacing a regulator myself, so I had that part in my hand today.

As far as the water pump on the 3.0 goes, here is one of the better threads I could find. I have a 4.4i and had mine done at my indy, so I can't help from experience. Good luck.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...placement.html

ALE53 · #9 06-28-2010, 08:17 AM

Thanks FSETH! I d'ld that one last night and will be jamming on this today....cross my fingers that the parts get to my house wile someone is there to sign for them. I have a meeting here in about 45minutes then I'm running straight back to the house to intercept UPS!

ALE53 · #10 06-28-2010, 05:01 PM

Well today was a bust literally. Got the 32mm wrench and sevice tool on the pulley behind the fan, two tiny creaks from the badly rusted nut, and boom! The fing pulley broke into pieces. Yes I was reverse thread aware...what a disaster. Only thing I can do is sawzall the fan clutch off. Oh the horror. 15 blades later I was 3/4 through. I moved the lower expansion tank hose and plugged the plastic coolant/water pipe there witha shop rag. There's coolant everywhere and metal bits and plastic from the pulley. I ordered a new clutch and pulley from partsgeek.com for $160 next day air.

Pics to follow!

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