E38 resurrection- water pump

[johndownunder]

Hi all, my existing water pump feels pretty tight in the bearing but is of the plastic variety. What's the life of them, should I just bite the dust and just buy a new one (with metal impeller)?
john

[Sundaycruzer]

Have you ever done a head gasket on one of these cars?


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[shogun]

moved to E38 forum

[oldroller]

Definitely go with a new metal impeller pump. And a 88c thermostat while you're in there.

[XAlt]

Have you ever done a head gasket on one of these cars?


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Not many will if they look at their temp like their gas.

[johndownunder]

Ok thanks. Rein or Graf? Are they both equal in quality?
john

[Mayorchuck]

IMO, Graf.

[Sundaycruzer]

Graf


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[johndownunder]

Ok thanks and why 88? I can find 105 and 95 but no 88's??

[Chris V]

Ok thanks and why 88? I can find 105 and 95 but no 88's??

The 88 supposedly keeps temps down underhood, making the plastic parts last longer. You can find them from ECS Tuning.

[oldroller]

Not only are underhood temps lower for the longevity of all the bits there, but the pressures are lower internally. This reduces stress on radiator/heater hoses, internal gasket (think valley pan) configurations,
O-rings, and hard bits like radiator, expansion tank, etc.

Alternator temps will also be lower, as well as trans coolant through the exchanger.

No downside to the changeover.

[johndownunder]

Ok, thanks for the good info!

[pumpedTSI]

Which is why I run Evans coolant in all my cars......zero under hood pressure in the cooling system and lifetime fluid......no pressure makes all the cooling system parts last a lot longer. Running temps are about the same......not cheap ($40 gal) but worth it to me.....no issues in all the years Ive been using it.

[Jimmy E34]

I wish I had've known to get the 88 degree thermostat when I did my waterpump.

[oldroller]

Thermostat can be changed without removing the water pump. The back lower bolt is a bit of a pain, use a wobble extension to extract that one.
Otherwise, a quick job.

[Sundaycruzer]

The 88 supposedly keeps temps down underhood, making the plastic parts last longer. You can find them from ECS Tuning.

when I disconnect the electric thermostat it throws a code, what did you do to fix that or can it be programmed out


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