Where is the auxiliary pump located on an '03 X5 with 3.0 engine?
 

Hi folks,

Can anyone confirm where this little sucker is located on my 03 X5 with the 3.0 six cylinder?

Realoem makes it look like it's at the lower front of the engine; #17 in this image: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=64_1116

A Pelican Parts video makes it look like is under the motor, on the passenger side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-BpUzAemyQ

Someone on either this forum or other said theirs was right next to/below their expansion tank --- and unless my eyes are failing me, I don't see one hangin' around there.

Any help is HUGELY appreciated. Having issues bleeding the system and the other day heard a nasty noise (with the engine off, heat on high, fan on low): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arlkpPqR8KQ . Oddly, it isn't making that noise today, but, ...I am guessing the impeller blades or the bearing/shaft they spin on is failing so complete auxiliary pump failure is looming. NOTE: When that loud noise was happening, there was no flow of coolant (with the expansion tank cap off, bleed loose, and no flow of coolant going down into tank).

Thanks folks.

See additional instructions for the M54 engine: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...ntrols/OUJOp0y





Here's another link to the e53 X5 aux water pump...see/click link pertaining to M37...there are two links for different engine set-ups: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...ter-pump/q-M37

Yep, that diagram is just about spot on. Once you remove the air box you’ll see it no problem. It’s a very quick swap out.

Sorry, the real oem diagram. Additionally if yours has failed there should be a code stored in the climate control computer or ecu, I can’t recall right now.

Yellow arrow is the bracket it’s mounted to. Red arrow points to its wires. This is looking down from the drivers side of the engine compartment.

Thank you guys. I'll take the airbox back out (didn't see it), but, curious, as Qsilver's post says I have to detach expansion tank, power steering reservoir, oil filter housing. Does that sound right?

Is that stuff you're seeing in Qsilver's post the stuff for the M62 engine? You've got the M54, so should ignore that stuff.

Also, on this project, my understanding is that this pump is working intermittently for you and your only real problem is an inability to successfully bleed the system, right? I recall a few threads, I think of yours, and may not be keeping them all straight here.

These aux pumps don't seem to fail much. Their use is to circulate warm coolant when the engine is off so you can still get heat inside the car. They of course are also helpful for bleeding the coolant. The main "problem" when they fail is that they make noise. If it were to seize permanently, you would probably never know or care unless you try to bleed the coolant.

So yes, maybe you have that, but you might have other problems in there too, and replacing this may not be the best first step. :dunno:

I replaced the pump on our 3.0i last winter. Just remove the airbox, the pump is situated down there... It's a little bit of a fiddling to take off and on the electric connector. Besides that, it's a quite easy job.

Throwing or not a error code if the pump is not working? In my case no error code...i just noticed that with the car shut off, it wouldn't blow warm air for more then 1-2 minutes, even if the engine was still hot. I guess a error code could come up depending the type of failure in the pump.

Before replacing the pump I finally checked if it worked, by activating the "rest" function with the car shut off. If the pump works, you will feel it by simply touching the expansion tank, feeling a slight vibration by the water circulating. You can also take off the cap of the tank and you will see water flowing trough the small opening.

Once I've taken out the pump, connected it to 12V and it...worked again. Maybe the shaking from taking out the pump did it's job or it was just a bad electric connection. I didn't investigate further at that point and just replaced it...didn't want to do the job again and the new pump was already there.

For your purpose: Try to activate heat at maximum with the car shut off and the engine hot. If you can't feel any circulation by touching the expansion tank (or simply take off the cap slowly and check visually), then your aux pump is not working.

In any case, I don't think that's your problem with bleeding the system.... the main pump generates enough flow to do the job.

Once the air box & tube are out of your way, it’s 2 quick disconnect coolant lines. 1 electrical connector & 2 bolts that mount it to the bracket. That’s all you’ll need to remove. Have some coolant available as you’ll lose some.

No, that doesn't apply to your application. See a "highlighted" image from the "top of the page" from the TIS website (there may have been additional instructions and details further down that apply)...but the expansion tank removal specifically says that it is for the M62 only...you should follow the links and info for the M54 engine: