Need a new waterpump and thermostat

[013137]

I purchased a genuine Behr expansion tank about 7 months ago and within 2 months it developed a small crack in it and started to spray coolant, I called the place where I had bought it from and they said just send it back and they will send me a new one.

All has been well for about 5 months now, but yesterday while I wus sitting in a parking lot with the engine running I see steam comming from my kidney grilles, I open the hood and the damn expansion tank has developed a crack in it for the second time :mad.

Around the same time that I bought the expansion tank I also did the clutch fan delete mod and installed a spal fan and an all aluminum radiator, but I got lazy and never replaced the thermostat or waterpump. I never have problems with the car over heating even in 100 degree weather while in traffic, but from what I hear the thermostat or waterpump can be on its last leg and is cause excessive heat and pressure to build up in the coolant system, which is what is killing my expansion tanks.

So I will be replacing the waterpump and thermostat while I'm replacing the tank this time, but I wus wondering if anyone has used this pump: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Metal-Impeller-Water-Pump-E36-M3-328-325-323-320-325is-323is-328is-325i-328i-/120862389588?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1998%7CMake%3ABMW%7CModel%3A328i&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c23f5b554

The price is reasonable and it has a metal impellor, it also says that it's a oem bmw pump but I don't know for sure.

Btw, I called my local parts dealer and got a quote of $180.56 for a new waterpump, and the Stewart pumps are going for around the same price. Pshhh, no happening.

[UnderCoverGuy11]

I would also replace the reservoir cap, might not be releasing the pressure adequately, that's probably what caused the tank to crack

[jmo69]

Get a Graf pump, $56.65 @AutohausAZ, it's the brand my local indie shop uses. Should be free shipping. For another $30 you can get an aluminum housing and Behr t-stat. http://www.autohausaz.com/search/group.aspx?sid=rpgxplyrl3vc4m45oq2eyp55&makeid=800003@BMW&modelid=1313603@328IS&year=1998&cid=16@Cooling%20System

[swrmotorsports]

I purchased a genuine Behr expansion tank about 7 months ago and within 2 months it developed a small crack in it and started to spray coolant, I called the place where I had bought it from and they said just send it back and they will send me a new one.

All has been well for about 5 months now, but yesterday while I wus sitting in a parking lot with the engine running I see steam comming from my kidney grilles, I open the hood and the damn expansion tank has developed a crack in it for the second time :mad.

Around the same time that I bought the expansion tank I also did the clutch fan delete mod and installed a spal fan and an all aluminum radiator, but I got lazy and never replaced the thermostat or waterpump. I never have problems with the car over heating even in 100 degree weather while in traffic, but from what I hear the thermostat or waterpump can be on its last leg and is cause excessive heat and pressure to build up in the coolant system, which is what is killing my expansion tanks.

So I will be replacing the waterpump and thermostat while I'm replacing the tank this time, but I wus wondering if anyone has used this pump: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Metal-Impeller-Water-Pump-E36-M3-328-325-323-320-325is-323is-328is-325i-328i-/120862389588?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1998%7CMake%3ABMW%7CModel%3A328i&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c23f5b554 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FBMW-Metal-Impeller-Water-Pump-E36-M3-328-325-323-320-325is-323is-328is-325i-328i-%2F120862389588%3Fpt%3DMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Acce ssories%26amp%3Bfits%3DYear%253A1998%257CMake%253A BMW%257CModel%253A328i%26amp%3Bvxp%3Dmtr%26amp%3Bh ash%3Ditem1c23f5b554)

The price is reasonable and it has a metal impellor, it also says that it's a oem bmw pump but I don't know for sure.

Btw, I called my local parts dealer and got a quote of $180.56 for a new waterpump, and the Stewart pumps are going for around the same price. Pshhh, no happening.


I can't seem the grasp why would wouldnt pay for a high quality stewart water pump...

[Moron95M3]

$49 at Pelican for the graf. I'm running them in 2 e36's, no issues. Quite a few miles

Pelican is also free shipping with $75 or more.

[PHARMDVIPER]

Just get the SW pump install it and forget about it....lifetime warranty also

[dinanstu]

The Stewart water pump is by far the better water pump to get. I have heard of Grafs failing and stock pumps failing, but not a Stewart...

Maybe I'm biased to the name, but its the one to get...

[Moron95M3]

have also seen many Stewarts with poor casting quality/porosity


just sayin' - granted never heard of one failing *yet*

[UnderCoverGuy11]

+ 1 to graf

[dinanstu]

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Graf_waterpump_installed_in_May_2010.jpg

Graf...

..of course the casting is perfect!

[013137]

Thanks guys, I will look into the Graf. And yes UnderCoverGuy, I thought that was the cause of the first Behr tank failing so I bought a new cap and bleeder screw from the dealer, but now the second tank has also failed.


I can't seem the grasp why would wouldnt pay for a high quality stewart water pump...
Send me the $160-$200 for a Stewart pump and we'll both be happy.

[Spyke]

Go ahead and cheap out on your cooling system. BMW did too, so why not? It's only one of your most critical components.

[swrmotorsports]

Send me the $160-$200 for a Stewart pump and we'll both be happy.


It's as if I actually have a part of OWNing your car :rolleyes

[013137]

It's as if I actually have a part of OWNing your car :rolleyes

Bingo, and being that you don't own it, you are wasting your time trying to grasp the reasoning for what I do and don't buy for it.


Go ahead and cheap out on your cooling system. BMW did too, so why not? It's only one of your most critical components.

Yeah, the thing is I didn't ask whether or not I should buy a cheap or expensive part, I posted a link to a pump to see whether or not anyone has tried that paticular pump.



Edit
Okay, well I have be doing further research and have found nothing but good things about the Stewart pump and the lifetime warranty is hard to turn down, so I just went ahead and bit the bullet, I found one for $175 with free shipping. Now how about the thermostat, what do you guys recommend?

[Spyke]

Good for you, it's a solid choice.

80/88* for the thermostat is pretty ideal.

[UnderCoverGuy11]

Whaler 88

[Moron95M3]

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Graf_waterpump_installed_in_May_2010.jpg

Graf...

..of course the casting is perfect!


touche! ;)