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2003 Z4 2.5 Litre.
The saga began when serpentine belt broke a few weeks back and cut upper radiator hose. I decide, since car has high miles that I would replace several parts of the cooling system. So, at first I replaced the water pump and the thermostat and housing, as well as the upper and lower rad hoses.
Put it all together and bled the coolant and discovered was still leaking somewhere - but could not determine where. Took to BMW dealer and they did pressure test and said the thermostat housing and water pump were both leaking, as well as the two plastic pipes that run under the intake manifold (they go to the heater core).
So, even though the water pump was new, I bought another new OEM water pump seal and also a new OEM thermostat housing seal. Replaced those and also replaced the heater pipes that run under the intake (removing the intake is a pain in the ....). I decided to go ahead and replace all the other hoses and, while I was at it I replaced the expansion tank as well. At this point everything is new except the radiator.
Got it all buttoned up tonight and took for test drive, confident that all would be well. Pulled into the garage I could smell coolant and found that it appears the water pump is still leaking - I think anyway. Looks like it's leaking from the bottom area. How could this be? Is there some magic trick to putting these water pumps on or is it possible the new water pump is just bad? Or maybe I have a cracked block? VERY frustrating.
Has anyone else ever had a new water pump continue to leak? Or maybe the leak is from somewhere else near the water pump and only looks like it's the water pump.
Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
The saga began when serpentine belt broke a few weeks back and cut upper radiator hose. I decide, since car has high miles that I would replace several parts of the cooling system. So, at first I replaced the water pump and the thermostat and housing, as well as the upper and lower rad hoses.
Put it all together and bled the coolant and discovered was still leaking somewhere - but could not determine where. Took to BMW dealer and they did pressure test and said the thermostat housing and water pump were both leaking, as well as the two plastic pipes that run under the intake manifold (they go to the heater core).
So, even though the water pump was new, I bought another new OEM water pump seal and also a new OEM thermostat housing seal. Replaced those and also replaced the heater pipes that run under the intake (removing the intake is a pain in the ....). I decided to go ahead and replace all the other hoses and, while I was at it I replaced the expansion tank as well. At this point everything is new except the radiator.
Got it all buttoned up tonight and took for test drive, confident that all would be well. Pulled into the garage I could smell coolant and found that it appears the water pump is still leaking - I think anyway. Looks like it's leaking from the bottom area. How could this be? Is there some magic trick to putting these water pumps on or is it possible the new water pump is just bad? Or maybe I have a cracked block? VERY frustrating.
Has anyone else ever had a new water pump continue to leak? Or maybe the leak is from somewhere else near the water pump and only looks like it's the water pump.
Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.