is a water pump a water pump, a fan clutch a fan clutch

[bill c]

I guess like most stuff.. there's good, better, best. Fan clutch for example.. there's a $75, $110, etc... the pump, also several price variations. ebay has a whole other thing going. You get what you pay for?.. or a metal pump is a metal pump. I did search around.. but put water pump in, and you get a billion hits. Just don't want to buy something.. you all collectively know is crap. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[zubbie]

I wonder this also. I know you can buy a URO water pump for $20 or a Graf for @ $60. Some are plastic impellers and some are metal. I tend to stay as close to OEM as possible (and would likely buy the Graf) particularly for cooling components.

But it is a confusing market nonetheless. Makes you wonder what the "corner garage" is putting in your car.

[slocar]

For water pumps go with either Hepu or Graf. BMA has them both and they are metal impeller pumps.

As far as the fan clutch ... I personally wouldn't go with anything less than Behr/Hella.

[sinsir]

So the general cenus is no to ebay water pumps and such?

Like this one as an example

Helluva lot cheaper, but will it be at a cost?

[russiankid]

It doesn't even state the brand of it. If I were you, go with what is known to be a good product such as Hepu or Graf for water pumps, and Berh/Sach/Hella for fan clutches. I have a Graf water pump and Behr fan clutch and I do not have any issues.

BMW's have very sensitive cooling systems. Cutting corners on products is not the best thing to do.

[sinsir]

or this

and this

i have emails out for brands now...

[AndrewH]

fuck Behr fan clutches, 2 of them bad right out of the box in a row, fuck them. And yes, parts really do matter. Before I knew hoe to work on cars I brought the 34 to get the guibo replaced, within 2 months I was back to square 1, thing was shredded to shit, was a shitty Malaysian knock off part, something you'd find on ebay for 20 bucks.

[sinsir]

The most expensive one (61.99) is a URO

[93FIM5]

If its for the M50 I would recommend the EMP Stewart pump but thats me and I like things that are extremely over built.

[sinsir]

the 48.95 one is URO, too. Plus he says there is a metal prop on Uro.

[russiankid]

fuck Behr fan clutches, 2 of them bad right out of the box in a row, fuck them. And yes, parts really do matter. Before I knew hoe to work on cars I brought the 34 to get the guibo replaced, within 2 months I was back to square 1, thing was shredded to shit, was a shitty Malaysian knock off part, something you'd find on ebay for 20 bucks.

My brother and I never had a problem with Behr fan clutches. Must be all you.

The most expensive one (61.99) is a URO

I have a URO thermostat housing, but thats about all I would use from them.

[billygoat777]

For water pumps go with either Hepu or Graf. BMA has them both and they are metal impeller pumps.

As far as the fan clutch ... I personally wouldn't go with anything less than Behr/Hella.

How come BMA has em for so cheap? they are like 180 everywhere else...

BTW thanks for that info man my water pump may be going soon and $60 is much better than $180

[tammer]

If its for the M50 I would recommend the EMP Stewart pump but thats me and I like things that are extremely over built.

+1, that's what I run in the track rat. They are really nice pieces, though you pay for it.

-tammer

[Sixdown]

I wouldn't touch ebay parts with a ten-foot pole unless they clearly stated what brand they are. I had the bad experience of buying parts and having them break extremely early...one of them was called Hamburg Technik, claimed to have been made in Germany, but was truly made in China. Outright scams. For BMW parts, you pay more, you usually get more.

If you want any parts, go to auto part websites and buy the closest to OEM.

[sinsir]

All three are Uro with metal prop confirmed by sellers.

I doubt I will do any of them, but I am curious has/is anyone running a Uro pump?

[russiankid]

Metal impeller is good, but you also have to look at the quality of the bearings and seals.

[wan]

After looking at various water pumps, I ended up going with a Graf one for my M30. It's not very cheap but it's a vital component I wouldnt cheap out on. Times are tough right now but buying a cheap pump and risk having it go out and overheat the engine is much more expensive than the price difference of a cheap pump and a good one.

[tonyroc14]

I believe common wear parts, or critical parts, such as bushings, and water pumps in this case, should always be of high quality.