M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: sloowm42 on August 23, 2008, 03:11:00 PM

Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: sloowm42 on August 23, 2008, 03:11:00 PM
Hello all, I'm new to the forum and the m42. After 6 years of punishing myself with three different e21's, I finally found a excellent condition 91 318is with 135k on it, needless to say, I'm not missing the e21!  Anyway, my water pump seized and I can't separate it from the block, I have never seen a water pump so hard to get out, I've checked to make sure I have all the bolts out a number of times, soaked it in penetrant for two days, whacked the hell out of it with my ball peen, I have the radiator, thermostat housing off for some working room and I can't get the thing to budge, has anybody ran in to this before? should I just eat the labor and go to my mechanic?
I'm happy to be a part of the forum, I look forward to talking with everybody!
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: Jtuner on August 23, 2008, 04:20:16 PM
I just had a pesky pump myself.. I had the timing cover off though, so I had somethin to pry on.... I've read about people clearing the way in the front bumper and grill assemblies, attaching one end of a rope to the pump pulley, and the other end of the rope to a sturdy tree or fence,, hit reverse and pull until she pops :D lol
This is a lil extreme, but I would imagine it works
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: Wise Old Dog on August 23, 2008, 05:14:59 PM
Whack it good with a wooden mallet. The shock should break it free.
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: nicknikolovski on August 24, 2008, 08:08:00 AM
Have tried screwing in the bolts in the 2 special holes on the water pump. Put each bolt in the special holes a couple of threads. Then using a 1/4" ratchet and a 10mm socket, turn the bolts a turn each and keep alternating between them. This slow but gradual pressure should start pushing the pump out.

Here is a helpful link.

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ismaintenance.html#waterpump

Hope it helps
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: mbtech0 on August 25, 2008, 10:07:54 PM
Well, finished mine today. I estimate that I had about 7 hours in it. For me, what worked was to rotate the pump back & forth with a pipe wrench. After it moved fairly easily, I started using a long pry bar behind the pulley hub, while rocking it back & forth. The bearing was totally shot, yet it didn't leak, or make any noise. The impeller was ground down to almost nothing as well, yet there was no overheating. I'm a bit smarter now.......
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: nicknikolovski on August 26, 2008, 04:49:38 AM
Geez, 7 hours to R&R a water pump. I would've been throwing tools and cursing the shit out of it if it took me that long, lol. Well done anyway.
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: nickmpower on September 02, 2008, 08:39:27 PM
mine is stuck too, the pump pulls out a few mm's them slides right back in when pressure is released
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: quinn11m20 on September 02, 2008, 09:14:39 PM
Use the bolt method it works the best and you wont damage anything else in the process. By the way how long does a water pump usually last? I know its a plastic impellar. There are new metal impellars. Any one know of any differences in replacing them.
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: nickmpower on September 02, 2008, 09:59:16 PM
the bolt method just broke/stripped the pump, ive tried prying and everything
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: nicknikolovski on September 03, 2008, 04:34:35 AM
get a rubber mallet, wack the crap out of it. Then get someone to help you with this. Try prying it from both sides. One person on the left another on the right.

Also get some CRC spray and spray heaps around the pump. Let it soak for a few minutes, put some decent gloves on, try yanking it while moving it back and further, side to side.

Can you post a picture of the broken pump?
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: inx750 on September 03, 2008, 07:57:23 PM
Sloowm42, please see http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6391
I ran into the same issue with a seized water pump.  Use a large pipe wrench to break free the pump by rotating it slightly back and forth.  While rotating it back and forth, use something to carefully pull/pry the pump from the engine while protecting the sealing surface.
Title: New to the forum, seized water pump
Post by: ///m42 sport on September 07, 2008, 10:37:54 PM
dang I was lucky, pulled out with my bare hands.  I work out occasionally.