[mmmnot]

Hi guys,

I need some suggestion or guidance here.

I have a 2009 328i N52 AT with right under 64,000 miles.

I tend to be the worry-wart type with my toys. In the past 10K miles I've:

Flushed the tranny and diff fluids
Flushed PS fluid
Replaced spark plugs/coils
Replaced rotors/pads/lines and flushed brake fluid (more upgraded than maint.)
Replaced all filters

As of recently, I've been noticing my oil level sensor acting funny. Upon investigation, I notice a slight oil leak near my oil filter housing gasket, an easy 10 dollar fix for the gasket and the oil level sensor is about 150 bucks, no biggie - but then it made me think...

While I'm playing around here, why not get the water pump and thermostat out the way?

So, question is:

Is it premature or a bit silly to replace the water pump and thermo now at this mile? Am I being paranoid or just a proper car owner? Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

Also, what else should I look out for or bother replacing while getting my hands dirty? I plan on keeping this car until I either die or somebody totals it. It will always be in my collection as a play car or just a DD for the next bad boy.

Any suggestions or advice would greatly be appreciated.

[avocet]

if you enjoy working on your car and the extra maint. bits are within your means... then i see no reason for you to feel paranoid! people look at me funny when they find out how much time i spend working on my car.

if you are looking for a sympathetic audience for your BMW infatuation, then i think you came to the right place!

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by avocet

if you enjoy working on your car and the extra maint. bits are within your means... then i see no reason for you to feel paranoid! people look at me funny when they find out how much time i spend working on my car.

if you are looking for a sympathetic audience for your BMW infatuation, then i think you came to the right place!

Ha ha! Well said. The main reason I am worried about the waterpump is getting stuck and having Billy Bob Joe hook up my car with all the pretty carbon fiber and tow it off, only to watch my splitter fly off in the wind.

I try to think of my car like a body. The more you wait on issues, typically, the worse they get.

[fravel]

I tend to be of the opinion that the waterpump is a little too expensive to just replace preventatively, but that's just me, as $400 would represent a significant purchase. If the money isn't an issue then 60,000-80,000 miles seems to be when they fail, I'd say go for it. FWIW my records show that my car had the original water pump changed at 65k miles due to failure.

Thermostats fail "open", so I really don't see any sense in changing those preventatively. On the other hand if you're going to be in there for the water pump then you might as well do the thermostat at the same time and save time/money on coolant changes.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by fravel

FWIW my records show that my car had the original water pump changed at 65k miles due to failure.

That's all my eyes seemed to focus on. Now, I am very confident to just bite the bullet and get it done.

Thank you for sharing!

[StealYourFace]

I got nervous about my water pump/t-stat last year and swapped them before they left me stranded. The car had 140,000 on it.

[fravel]

Yeah, I saw that you were at the 64k mark so I figured that was a relevant data point.

On the other hand, I'm now over 120k and still on 2nd waterpump, so I'm probably due for a 3rd one here soon. I'm playing chicken with it though.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I got nervous about my water pump/t-stat last year and swapped them before they left me stranded. The car had 140,000 on it.

Originally Posted by fravel

Yeah, I saw that you were at the 64k mark so I figured that was a relevant data point.

On the other hand, I'm now over 120k and still on 2nd waterpump, so I'm probably due for a 3rd one here soon. I'm playing chicken with it though.

Ha, so it's really a gamble. 140K vs 65K.

I guess I value being able to sleep soundly at night. Time to order some parts now.

Thanks again guys!

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I got nervous about my water pump/t-stat last year and swapped them before they left me stranded. The car had 140,000 on it.

StealYourFace while I have your attention: have you had to adjust your tensioner or belt? I read that the aluminum bolt is a weak point in the design and can cause the belt to shift back and forth and as a result, cut the belt up. Any experience in this happening?

[fravel]

No problems to report here, but that's one that I did go ahead and do preventatively... I wanna say it was right around 100k?

[hassmaschine]

our E91 went out at 95k and mine has 108k on the original. Meh, my insurance comes with tow coverage - I'd rather wait for it to die.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by fravel

No problems to report here, but that's one that I did go ahead and do preventatively... I wanna say it was right around 100k?

OK, thank you. I noticed my looking sketch today while double checking a few gaskets. I am debating just doing it with my project and get it all done so I can be stress free until 120K.

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

our E91 went out at 95k and mine has 108k on the original. Meh, my insurance comes with tow coverage - I'd rather wait for it to die.

Thank you.

So I am being paranoid, but at the end of the day, I just do not want to deal with a tow or ripping off lips/splitters if possible

[parabola]

I'd wait at least 100k miles for water pump replacement. Can it fail earlier, of course...just don't think about it.

[MarkkyyMan]

Most people don't perform the recommended coolant service intervals.

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

StealYourFace while I have your attention: have you had to adjust your tensioner or belt? I read that the aluminum bolt is a weak point in the design and can cause the belt to shift back and forth and as a result, cut the belt up. Any experience in this happening?

Short answer, yes that is possible. I do the belt tensioner/belt ext every 60,000 miles.

Long answer, if you haven't joined the BMW CCA, you need to. In addition to a fantastic monthly magazine with a great tech section by Mike Miller. Email Mike and ask for the lifetime service manual which will give you great advise for every wear item on your car. It beats the crap out of wondering "should I do this" and posting "Am I wasting money for that" or "Am I on borrowed time for xxxx Part."

Personally, I budget about $200/ mo for wear items, and surprises (not including tire budget, between summers and snows, it adds up esp considering I track it).

Generally speaking, I come out ahead, enjoy driving and maintaining a satisfying car that has been paid for years ago.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

Short answer, yes that is possible. I do the belt tensioner/belt ext every 60,000 miles.

Long answer, if you haven't joined the BMW CCA, you need to. In addition to a fantastic monthly magazine with a great tech section by Mike Miller. Email Mike and ask for the lifetime service manual which will give you great advise for every wear item on your car. It beats the crap out of wondering "should I do this" and posting "Am I wasting money for that" or "Am I on borrowed time for xxxx Part."

Personally, I budget about $200/ mo for wear items, and surprises (not including tire budget, between summers and snows, it adds up esp considering I track it).

Generally speaking, I come out ahead, enjoy driving and maintaining a satisfying car that has been paid for years ago.

I just did everything mentioned to the car and it feels great.

Thank you for the suggestions and notes.

I looked at a local chapter of BMW CCA, however; they seem rather inactive so I really have not done more than follow their social media for events/track days. Previously, with other cars, local chapters had weekly meets, dinners, shows, etc. Maybe I am not looking in the right places.

I have the Bently repair book for my car, is that different from the lifetime service manual you mention?

Funny you mention tires, I was just noticing my rears might need replacing before next fall.

[Efthreeoh]

OP, you have no issue spending money, so if it will help you sleep better, than just replace the parts.

[TheSt|G]

You are doing everything correctly. Replace the water pump. Overheating our quite fragile engines would be catastrophic.

Otherwise your maintenance just looks like proper Mike Miller Old School Maintenance.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You are doing everything correctly. Replace the water pump. Overheating our quite fragile engines would be catastrophic.

Otherwise your maintenance just looks like proper Mike Miller Old School Maintenance.

Feels so good to drive a healthy car. Water pump and thermo replaced, no more filter leak and a fresh oil change.

[BavarianMWfan]

You are being responsible given that electronics parts fail spontaneously which can be risky. So what your doing is perfectly fine. Don't worry about what others think and say, they don't understand the passion we have for our cars. If can afford it and enjoy working on your car, go for it. I got weird looks from my family when I spent 5 hours doing sparkplugs/coils but my OCD kicked in and I HAD to detail the engine bay lol

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by BavarianMWfan

You are being responsible given that electronics parts fail spontaneously which can be risky. So what your doing is perfectly fine. Don't worry about what others think and say, they don't understand the passion we have for our cars. If can afford it and enjoy working on your car, go for it. I got weird looks from my family when I spent 5 hours doing sparkplugs/coils but my OCD kicked in and I HAD to detail the engine bay lol

You know my pain.

Simple green is amazing for said bay's FYI

[BavarianMWfan]

Simple green is amazing for said bay's

I'm using that next time.