'08 X5 3.0si w/ 15,500miles water pump failure

[ard]

Originally Posted by autoque

The dealer's saying it's good to change the bearing (pulley, is it?) while replacing the belt. Is this a customary practice?

Under warranty? then of course not. But when YOU are paying they will find all sorts of things to add.



But I've had cars with 200k on a belt pulley

I wouldnt.

[ohiobimmer]

Originally Posted by ard

Under warranty? then of course not. But when YOU are paying they will find all sorts of things to add.



But I've had cars with 200k on a belt pulley

I wouldnt.

My experience here is that the belt is probably not the cause of the failure. I've had 2 other BMW's where the pulley bearing failed, siezed, then caused the belt to snap. With such low miles tho it's a toss up. I'd replace it myself if it were me....but the stealership replacing it will be costly.

[ard]

Originally Posted by ohiobimmer

My experience here is that the belt is probably not the cause of the failure. I've had 2 other BMW's where the pulley bearing failed, siezed, then caused the belt to snap. With such low miles tho it's a toss up. I'd replace it myself if it were me....but the stealership replacing it will be costly.

If the car had 90k miles, OR if the dealer said "the pulley is bad"...then Id replace it.

But dealer is saying (implied by his post): "pulley is fine now, but to be safe..."

The should charge no more that 15 minutes extra for the pulley... but they'll probably nail him a hour for the belt and 1.5 for the pulley.

Its a 30 minute job- the whole thing, max.

A

[autoque]

Ribbed V-Belt 11287557257
Ribbed V-Belt 11287552084
Deflection Pulley
Mechanical Belt Tensioner
Coolant Hose
Torx Screw
=US$350

Labor=US$100

Total=$350+$100+Tax=US$490

[manishx86]

2008 E70 3.0, 49K miles - Traveling on freeway at 11.30pm at night on 5/18/2013 at 65 mph got orange overheat warning, advising to drive moderately. Within 20 seconds, red warning sign came on indicating overheated engine, car started stalling. Could not get it to go over 20mph on freeway. Somehow managed to exit and park, got kids out safely.

Got towed to dealership next day. Breakdown diagnosed to water pump failure. Total cost of repair $1207.

Fortunately had Costco Extended Warranty, out of pocket cost of $250.

Why is there no recall on the water pump?

[bigd00755]

Originally Posted by manishx86

2008 E70 3.0, 49K miles - Traveling on freeway at 11.30pm at night on 5/18/2013 at 65 mph got orange overheat warning, advising to drive moderately. Within 20 seconds, red warning sign came on indicating overheated engine, car started stalling. Could not get it to go over 20mph on freeway. Somehow managed to exit and park, got kids out safely.

Got towed to dealership next day. Breakdown diagnosed to water pump failure. Total cost of repair $1207.

Fortunately had Costco Extended Warranty, out of pocket cost of $250.

Why is there no recall on the water pump?

Same story here, however I don't have an extended warranty. Dealer changed the water pump, thermostat and flushed the coolant. $1,400 later everything is working fine now. I agree why no recall on the water pump!

BMW even has a service bulletin on this issue. 2008 BMW X5 SAV cooling system service bulletin (Bulletin RC-11V-521) On certain model year 2008-2011 vehicles, a defect involving the electric auxiliary water pump can over heat or fail to cool engine and fire may occur in vehicle or engine compartment.

Going to write BMW a letter.

[ard]

Originally Posted by manishx86

Why is there no recall on the water pump?

Manufacturers only recall safety issues.

I am willing to bet that BMW is saying 'there is enough time to drive the car to safety, so it isnt a safety defect requiring recall"

you guys WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE>???????

Report this as a safety defect via the NHTSA website. In particular stress the rapidity of symptoms and danger in getting to safety.

This will trigger an investigation and BMW will not be able to direct the outcome.

A

[autoque]

I just noticed while looking at my water pump replacement invoice, the water pump installed is remanufactured. It says rmfd. Shouldn't I get the new part? It wasn't under warranty, I paid for it and got a remanufactured part. Is this the norm in BMW dealerships?

[ard]

Originally Posted by autoque

I just noticed while looking at my water pump replacement invoice, the water pump installed is remanufactured. It says rmfd. Shouldn't I get the new part? It wasn't under warranty, I paid for it and got a remanufactured part. Is this the norm in BMW dealerships?

Yes, its the norm.

Unless the work order siad 'replace with new'....

The time to inquire is before you sign the receipt... or ideally before they start the work.


A

[JCL]

It should be the norm in all dealerships in a situation where a reman part is available as an alternative to a new part. It has the same life expectancy as a new part. It often has the same parts warranty. It is usually significantly cheaper than the new part. It is not a repaired or rebuilt part, it is a remanufactured part. If it was a factory-backed reman, which provides some comfort on it being a proper reman and not a spray-paint rebuild, or if it was from a reman supplier I knew, and after I compared the price to new, I would choose the reman part over the equivalent new part.