[luvinmybmw]

This is what happened. I recently bought the car... actually it was exactly a month ago. When I bought it i was told that the check coolant light comes on sometimes and they have had it checked out and everything was fine. Well it happened to me yesterday and I was just thinking that was common and didn't think too much of it. I was driving later that night and all of the sudden my steering got stiff and my car died so luckily I was able to get onto a dead end street and park off to the side. When I tried to restart it, it would turn over and make this horrible whinning noise or something and die. My friend looked under the hood and thought it might be a fan belt or something. No clue! So then today my dad and I went back to look at it, and he saw that the fan infront of my radiator was almost falling off, very loose. So he tried tightening it and I tried starting it and nothing. There is a very slight coolant leak( or so I am assuming) like just a couple drops. I hope it's nothing major, I am getting the car towed tonight to a auto repair shop since I know nothing of working on cars. Anyone's comments on this issue will be greatly appreciated! Also, maybe someone could give me a price range of what I may expect to have to pay...?!
:help

Also my car is a 94 325ic with 113k

 

[chinonca]

From what you described on your post its sounds to me like you lost your water pump. A repair like that could cost up to 400.00 dollars unless other damaged occured.

 

[brettski]

Does your power steering pump fan belt run the water pump as well? Is it still in place?
If it is the water pump, keep your finger crossed that you haven't over heated the engine at the same time.
Good luck

 

[WesleyBR]

Do you remember checking the water level and the temp gauge? if it was poiting in the middle of the gauge, means no overheating wich is most of the time not that bad. The whinning noise could be starter motor but, it wouldnt explain your car diyng in the middle of the ride but a failed gas pump would. Lil hard to say.
(and it could be the water pump, or overheating, like tey said, im just adding some thoughts)

Best of Luck for u and ur bimmer. Its a great car. =]

 

[luvinmybmw]

Do you remember checking the water level and the temp gauge? if it was poiting in the middle of the gauge, means no overheating wich is most of the time not that bad. The whinning noise could be starter motor but, it wouldnt explain your car diyng in the middle of the ride but a failed gas pump would. Lil hard to say.
(and it could be the water pump, or overheating, like tey said, im just adding some thoughts)

Best of Luck for u and ur bimmer. Its a great car. =]

It did not go past 1/2 way on the temp gauge I always watch it because I am always afraid of overheating! It was just strange that it died on me and with no warning at all. When I called the repair shop he said it sounds like the water pump bearings or something of that nature. i will get a written estimate tomorrow since I towed the car there last night. I am just upset I have had the car a month and already having issues! I am also going to call the place that the car has had all of its maintenence done at in the past 10 years and have them send me records. I just hope I am not going to be giving up an arm and a leg to get her fixed. I love my car!

 

[WesleyBR]

well, if its just the water pump, i think you should be fine. There is a few problems that occur t out BMW e36 that its considered "normal". Like water pump, some sensors, brake light switch. The original water pump come with a plastic empeller nad it means... IT WILL BREAK. u need to get one with a metal empeller like this one: "http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=11-51-7-527-799-M52&catalog_description=Water%20Pump%20(uses%20metal%20impeller,%20includes%20O-ring),%20323i/is/iC%20(1998-99),%20325i/is/iC%20(1992-95),%20328i/is/iC%20(1996-99),%20M3%20(1995-99),%20Each%20%09%09%20"

I had the same problem but mine pump died and the car didnt and it started to over heat.

Fingers crossed to be jsut the water pump! =]

PS: I love my BMW too hehehe

PS2°: I recommend you to check out the list of common problems with e36, im in a hurry now, if u cant find, ill try to post it soon. Its really good ideia to be aware of what can happen, so u can prevent something like that, (by having a new one and/or replacing before it breaks) and learn about the car, and u'll see how good BMW is.

Good Luck dude =]

 

[luvinmybmw]

Yay my car is done and ready for me to pick up. So yes it was my water pump, it has been replaced, fluids checked and topped off, new belt and she runs great. The guy is charging me $350 for it all, and even is working with me on payments on the labor, all I did was pay for parts first. So Im happy it was just that.

 

[WesleyBR]

Thats Amazing! congrats man, im glad it all worked out. But im not sure if it was supose to be that expensive 350U$. There is some DIY online, and i did it on mine, and took like 3 hours. But i dont live in us not sure if that a reasonable price, but all that matters is that ur car is working just fine. =]]

Enjoy itt

 

[luvinmybmw]

Well that was the cheapest quote I got ($60 per hour labor and 3 hours), better than paying $585 was the first place I took it to quote! But how many belts do I have, is it the alternator.waterpump.power steering belt and then an a/c belt??

 

[WesleyBR]

"Water pump, power steering pump, alternator and air conditioning compressor. There are typically two belts on the car - one that powers the air conditioning compressor and another that powers everything else." =]

Here is how to: " Pelican Technical Article: BMW Water Pump Replacement "

But basically, u have to remove all coolant from ur car, remove the belts, and remove the fan. than its easy acess to the water pump.

Good luck