2007 Water Pump Replacement. Overheating and no coolant loss

[lt_texan]

Hello everyone. I searched on this and couldn't find anything.

My wife calls and says her X5 is overheated, it shut down, come get me. Luckily, she is a mile or so away in a residential area.

What happened was the engine temp amber light came on. Then the red light came on maybe a couple minutes later, and she pulled over as the engine put itself into major limp mode.

I expected to see a puddle of antifreeze (based on some of the posts here) but did not. She sat about 20 minutes before I got there.

Under the hood, things didn't seem incredibly hot, so I got some towels and CAREFULLY opened the coolant reservoir a bit, noting a small amount of pressure released.

Coolant is between the min and max lines. So I added a bit to top it off. No leaks, good.

So I thought maybe the electric fan is not working. Fired her up and the fan came on, good.

Shut her down.

Residential all the way home so might as well give it a go and see if the light comes back on.

About half way it did, and I pulled over and let her cool off. Two more tries with about 15 minutes cool down got me in my driveway.

So, I'm thinking thermostat stuck shut. (Figured I might find a thread on that that on this list, but nada)

Any advice on what the problem could be before I call up BMW to have the non-warranty X5 taken to the shop?

Yes I'm handy and expected to be ordering a radiator right now, not scratching my head.



Replacing a thermostat or a faulty sensor would be welcomed advice.

Thanks in advance all....

[lt_texan]

Tried another search and found a recent thread on water pump failure.

So these are electric? And prone to fail around 60k?

Thanks,

[blue dragon]

Failed water pump, thermostat stuck closed, its one or the other.

[lt_texan]

Thanks Blue Dragon.

Seems there's a consensus that the electric water pump is a weak link, so i figure spend the $500 or so on it and replace while I'm in there with the thermostat replacement.

Tend to think the same about the radiator.

Summer is coming. Get it done now.

[Dking05]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

Failed water pump, thermostat stuck closed, its one or the other.

AGREED, (Although this is from my E39, i think i can help a bit) when my thermo was just replaced, it got stuck closed a few times, but then never happened again. (no coolant loss either) Keep in mind it was a new part, I wouldn't let something like this go unchecked with an aged one.

I had almost the same symptoms you are going through.

[killcrap]

faulty water pump. to confirm, turn on the ignition, and put the heat on full hot, and turn the blower speed to the lowest setting. then stomp on the accelerator pedal for 10 seconds. remove the coolant reservoir cap. and check for coolant flow and noises from the water pump. coolant should be flowing.

[lt_texan]

So, "key" in, press the start button (without pressing the brake pedal), heater on highest temp setting, fan low, mash accelerator pedal for 10 seconds.

Check out under the hood.

No circulating noises from the opened reservoir tank.

No sounds anywhere, except...

The HVAC fan gently running, and

From the passenger' side of the engine (right side), a repeating
ba-braaaaack ba-braaaaack ba-braaaaack...ba-braaaaack ba-braaaaack ba-braaaaack...ba-braaaaack ba-braaaaack ba-braaaaack

repeating over and over.

WP is toast I'd say.

[killcrap]

here is the price for a new pump, and thermostat

11 53 7 550 172, Thermostat Assembly
11 51 7 586 925, Water Pump or
11 51 7 568 595, Water Pump
11 51 0 392 553, Screw Set

[lt_texan]

Where'd ya get those price if ya don't mind me askin'

[killcrap]

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