E36 318i water pump problem

[bmwe30mtech]

Hi,

Probably the wrong forum but I know a lot of you drive E36's also.

My mate has a 318i (1998) E36, and it is overheating. The water doesnt appear to be flowing through the radiator, as the hose in is boiling hot and the hose out very cold. He replaced the radiator with a new one, but still same problem. Im guessing the water pump is the culprit, and so did a 'mechanic' who looked at it, but could not get the pump off, and said it was seized into the engine. This sounds unlikely, or at least couldnt happen on an E30 given the way it bolts on (i.e. flush to the side of the head).

So how do you remove the water pump from one of these engines? Is it actually difficult or is the other guy simply inadequate? Can they become seized in?

Thanks

Paul

[sihooker]

If it's anything like an M40 pump, i've heard some horror stories involving hammer and chisel to get the buggers out!

There should be two threaded holes near the bolt holes. The idea is to use two of the bolts in these threaded holes to push the pump out of the block by tightening them evenly. A tap with a mallet should help get it started once the bolts have put a bit of pressure down.

For the record, this has worked for me both times, and the pumps have come out in one piece.

[sihooker]

I've just looked on the Real OEM site and the water pump looks the same as an M40 so what i've written above should be correct

[town325i]

did you try the thermostat first if thats stuck shut you wont get no water flowing anywhere

[Andyboy]

Those later ones had the plastic thermostat housing with the stat built in. They can fail partially closed but not enough to cook it. M43 pumps are rarely that bad. The two 10mm water pump bolts wound in normally get them out (and almost never on M40's) but if it's stuck, you will have to smash the pump into bits in situ and fish the bits out. The way I've done them is to remove the fan and pulley and belt seven shades out of the hub in both directions. They're cheap enough from ECP though, about 20 quid.

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks very much for the responses. I have not looked at the car in person yet and did not know about these two threads to help apply pressure. I will try those, and failing that just go to work on the old pump!

I think he either checked the old thermostat or put a new one on, but from what you say Andy is sounds like this would not cause the problem anyway.

I have a new pump ready to fit.

Thanks again

[town325i]

theremostats stop working in all sorts of different ways and should not be over looked

[Ant]

Put a new pump and stat in there Paul.

Belt and braces

[bmwe30mtech]

Cheers guys, I will be off to do it soon if it stops raining! I think he has a new stat for it, hopefully.