Urgent Advise on E36

[beemer04]

My e36 has got a loud noise, not while driving and cruising, sumthing similar to roars, could it be the cluctch fan (maybe) not or the wheel bearings? Any advise? The car is in Malacca, and I have no idea where to send to a reliable mechanic?

 

[Hellraiser]

could be water pump...

 

[beemer04]

But no overheating, should i change the water pump?

 

[infinityKL]

actually how to know if water pump is gonna kaput? Mine 11 years d, touch wood no promlems so far...tq

 

[rizaljai]

Happened to me before, no overheating but when engine revved at 3000 RPM and above the engine growls. Didn't happen before. Checked, sound due to water pump. Changed it, problem solved.

 

[initialM]

actually how to know if water pump is gonna kaput? Mine 11 years d, touch wood no promlems so far...tq

Better run to yr workshop & change water pump its much cheaper than overheating yr engine:listen:

BTW get the metal water pump not plastic one:wink:

 

[Hellraiser]

bro, change the water pump as soon as possible. from the way you described it, it sound pretty serious. how to know if its the water pump? does it sound like a grinding machine for polishing floors? if yes...its the water pump! the plastic water pump should set you back by RM 120-130if you buy it direct from the shop. This would probably last you one year...mine did.

workmanship will set you back by RM 100. better get it replaced fast. you don't want any of the pump bits to crack and go into your engine !

 

[azam318]

Bro, I've changed water pump(metal) recently, its cost about rm250 and workmanship
rm100. Total is rm350.

 

[infinityKL]

wahhhh, first thing to do next week, after the holiday season...thx guys!

 

[beemer04]

Sifus, thanks a lot, what you have describe it is exactly how the sound is! I will get the water pump purchased from KL n get it replaced in Melaka. The car is not driven and used for the time being as wifey would be using my car while waiting the parts replaced over the weekend. In the meantime I will be using my e21 instead.

I thot that it was the wheel bearing or the clutch fan. Do I need to put in the BMW coolant as well? My water pump was last replaced 3 years ago and for the last 1.5 years I did not put in the water coolant, could this be the source of the problem?

What is the difference between plastic n metal water pump, in durability and pricing?

Thanks again to all.

 

[beemer04]

Bro any leads which shop should I source the water pump at reasonable price?

 

[Hellraiser]

you need to contact the melaka chapter for parts in melaka or check with the local mech where there is a thread on reliable mech's in melaka. ask how much for the part. its ok if the mech charges you a bit extra 10% for your convenience of having to hunt for the part.

you definately will need to add coolent. use BMW original coolent

different between plastic and metal...metal last longer.

 

[beemer04]

Thanks to all the advise.

I am based in KL, hence looking where to source the parts, I was quoted by Bomin at RM155 for metal brand KS (if I get the brand correct), any leads on where should I source and brand for the water pump?

 

[Gerald 5]

Just to share from another forum AS BELOW
Early E36 BMWs were built with water pumps that have plastic impellers. Over time, the impellers become brittle, crack, flake, and eventually stop spinning altogether. This is a well-known problem. BMW replaced the plastic-impeller pump with one that had a metal impeller in production at some point in 1996, for cars sold as model year 1997. These pumps were not without their own problems, though: they were prone to bearing failures. The third (and hopefully final) water pump is the one now available from BMW. Its impeller is made of a composite material.
A failing water pump may not exhibit any symptoms. a head-on view of the impeller.

 

[Hellraiser]

Thanks to all the advise.

I am based in KL, hence looking where to source the parts, I was quoted by Bomin at RM155 for metal brand KS (if I get the brand correct), any leads on where should I source and brand for the water pump?

bro, basically all spare part shops have about the same price (+/-). RM 155 sounds pretty good to me

 

[anxious]

My enquiry at AB Pg revealed that water pump for E36 should be changed @ 80000km. As I dont know whether the previous owner changed his, I've decided to do mine tmrow.

 

[beemer04]

After diagnosed, the culprit is the rear bearing, any indication on parts price and labor to get this replaced? I was quoted in Malacca RM130 each x 2 for parts and labor RM180, equiv to RM440, is this reasonable?

 

[beemer04]

Guys I have bought the rear bearing FAG at RM95 each, wish to get it installed, as the car is in Malacca and I do not have any place on recommended BMW wshop, can I send it to the normal wshp/non BMW specialist to get the rear wheel bearing installed? How much labor charge?

 

[c-square]

Why don't you try Seong Hoe Motors (06-2522422 .... hopefully they have not change their phone number) in Malacca. They deal with BMWs in Malacca and have the proper equipments. Call them up first to enquire the labour cost since you have already purchased the bearings yourselves and compare it with the price quote you are able to get from other workshops. If their price is not too far off, then probably it makes sense to go there. I had an unpleasent experience in going to the nearest most convenient workshop to change my rear bearing on my e36 and boy was I fuming mad!!! So my lesson learnt is that better to go to a workshop that regularly handles BMWs, just to have peace of mind that the mech there knows what to do and have the appropriate equipments to carry out the job.

 

[beemer04]

Ok will try Seong Hoe