Quick question...

[jrhaile]

What exactly does the waterpump control and what does it do in our cars (e36)? Also what kind of problems would I see if it was going bad or is bad? And can it cause issues with the tranny/steering if it's bad? thanks...

[mole]

water pump has to do with the cooling system.
I don't know how it would affect your steering/tranny.

[dutchbmw]

The H2O flows through the whole engine, radiator and heater unit. When the engine is cold the water only flushes to the heater unit (when you need warm air), and not through the radiator. If the temperature rises to about 80-85 degrees Celsius, the thermostat opens smooth. At this point the engine will keep the operation temperature.

The only function of the water pump is to transport the hot (engine) water to the radiator and the heater unit in the car. When it is bad (broken fan inside) no water will be transported anymore and the temperature gauge in the cluster goes into the red zone.

[heifetz17]

You know your water pump is bad when coolant is leaking from the peep hole. You won't affect your tranny or steering at all. You'll just start loosing a little coolant at first, and if you don't replace it, it'll start leaking a lot more coolant. Therefore, the engine will overheat faster.

[challe]

Originally posted by heifetz17@May 18 2004, 02:27 AM
You know your water pump is bad when coolant is leaking from the peep hole. You won't affect your tranny or steering at all. You'll just start loosing a little coolant at first, and if you don't replace it, it'll start leaking a lot more coolant. Therefore, the engine will overheat faster.

I agree !

Challe /