Aluminum Water Pump Pulley
 

Hey guys, well my water pump went out today, went to lunch and while parking heard this grinding noise like rocks in a plastic bucket. Had my buddy start the car while I looked under the hood and the water pump pulley was wobbling and a small spray of water was splashing out from the front area of the pump. So while looking online at pump prices I found a metal water pump pulley, I believe the OEM pulley is plastic so this seems to be a nice upgrade while I have everything apart.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230853613447?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1497.l2649

That part number is for the 3.0l motor. Will not work for your 4.6

Thanks, yes I noticed that after doing some further research, I found one at ECS and a few others with the proper part number. I'm trying to see if any other members have switched to a metal water pump pulley.

Water Pump Pulley 112mm HD Aluminum Fits BMW 530i 540i 740i 740IL 840CI | eBay

I feel ur pain, mines went last friday and I went the dealer route. My mechanic said that its the best one to by

I switched to it 2 years ago and no problems since. Got mine from ECS also.

I guess I don't see a metal pulley as an upgrade. I've never had a problem with a plastic BMW pulley. I think the vendors selling metal pulleys are capitalizing on owner's fears in many cases, nothing more.

I tend to agree, especially if the metal one is heavier.

I did a google search on BMW water pump pulley failure. I got lots of hits on water pump failures, but the number one search return on a pulley failure was for an aftermarket pulley, made by a company often discussed on these forums. It failed due to fatigue. Can you imagine that, metal being subject to fatigue? ;)