BMW E46 Water Pump and Belts/Tensioner/Pulleys DIY

Welcome to ShoplifeTV!
In this DIY (Do It Yourself) I show you how to replace a water pump, drive belts, tensioner, and pulleys on a e46 BMW 325i. Also I give tips on how to go around a stuck fan clutch nut. This can be used for other models as well. Let me know if you have any questions!
Route E46 Drive Belts:
• How To Route BMW E46 D...
OFHG Diy:
• E46 Oil Filter Housing...
Instagram: @ShopLifeTV
Disclaimer: Not sponsored Disclaimer: The product links provided are often associated with an affiliate. When using any of the affiliate links I may get compensated for any products purchased using the link. This compensation does not affect my views on the product.

[@jaesindnb6197]

When you do the work yourself, a bmw is an affordable car🤘

[@bethells86]

Otherwise there is nothing as expensive as a cheap BMW :)

[@ravsinghrajput2105]

Even if you work on your own it's still damn expensive because they break down every other month 🤣😂

[@DankBeatDubz]

@@bethells86 *cries in shit box 328i

[@DRIFTA999]

​@@DankBeatDubzcries in shit box 320i

[@andrecardona230]

You're channel is absolutely amazing! I'm 17 and I recently bought an '01 325i as my first vehicle. It needs a little bit of love and has some work to be done, but its mine and I cant wait to start getting into it and learning. I bumped into your channel the other day watching "BMW E46 General Maintenance+Things To Do After Purchase" (which ultimately made me pull the trigger on the purchase) and I've been binge watching whenever I've had the chance hahaha. Hopefully one day I'll share as much knowledge as you do and fully understand what I'm doing. Cant wait to get started, keep up with the great videos! Peace and Love.

[@ShopLifeTV]

I really appreciate it man! If you ever need any help or have any questions feel free to message me on instagram @ShopLifeTV. Thanks!

[@wellokayyes1266]

Great video!! And thank you for showing that technique of prying the pulley out, that's why I came to see this, mine is stuck too. Most videos edit out when they're stuck so that was hugely appreciated. Thank you again!

[@auck1969]

Sir, I don't comment enough on your self help videos. You've helped me so much with my 2905 BMW E46 zhp it's amazing. Thank you again.

[@whitebmw528i]

yooooooo bro thank you so much for the video I have been watching and working on bmws for a while and I have to say this was the easiest way I have seen. . I was gonna sell my BMW for 500 since I figured I couldn't get to the water pu.p. after this video I fixed it and now selling it for 1500 running sweet thanx a million and keep working

[@HolyMolyJC]

I'm really liking your new style of tutorial bro, great work and keep it up. I've got a '04 e46 325ci and pretty much every video you post has been current and useful for me, thanks again!

[@ShopLifeTV]

Thanks man! Keep watching!

[@TheSkaterguy668]

Your channel is a lifesaver dude.

[@damianwattimena4128]

Im so glad videos like this exist

[@zmanwithfire]

I love your videos so much. Thank you so much for making these. Makes it affordable for me to own a bmw.

[@andrewchin7010]

Dude All Your Video Helped me out a Lot Keep up the Good work I like how Detail you've explained things

[@nestop.9892]

another outstanding DIY, thank you brother.

[@ozscorpio7]

I really like these tutorials , they use normal tools not some bmw xx tool unless neccesary Keep up the good work

[@nathanacuna]

Dude you are a beast! Really like your videos.

[@weaner232323]

I've really missed your daily uploads. Keep up the good work man!

[@ShopLifeTV]

They will be back as soon as I finish moving to Cali.

[@thumpertorque_]

You have some very helpful videos on your channel. I'm planning on buying an E46 330ci when I save up enough money and want to learn working on my own car so this helps me knowing about the E46 or just cars in general. Hope you keep uploading videos like this teaching us about working on cars, especially about E46s.

[@ShopLifeTV]

Appreciate it, if you ever need any help feel free to message me on instagram @ShopLifeTV

[@ravsinghrajput2105]

Great video,,, find it very helpful

[@vettriley675]

I want to be a mechanic on the side. Love your videos.

[@kouroshtashvishi5031]

I love my 318ci nice 1.9L easy to work on and sooo much space

[@delvinalphonse5819]

like your video bro. very useful. I fill safe working on my e46. because of you. great job bro. thumbs up. 100%

[@samhdz5347]

Really helpful video 👍

[@davidsummer7197]

Great video. Thanks.

[@MedyaGh]

Thank you for this tip

[@joshuarivera7630]

I have a 323I that had a fan clutch that wouldn't come off, so I heated it up with an acetylene torch. works wonders .

[@jookbj]

This vid saved me 1000$

[@ozscorpio7]

I really like your tutorials man, great work. Do you consider neccesary to use silicon to seal the thermostat and water pump or should the orings be enough?

[@alexis524]

Hi Jason, great video! Like your camera work and commentary, very straightforward. It would seem I have to do this repair as one of my belts (water pump??) shredded this morning on the way to work. Guessing it's the water pump belt since the drive belt is all intact and there is coolant splashed everywhere towards the front fan/shroud, etc. If i'm replacing my belts, tensioners, pulleys, water pump, t'stat, expansion tank, should I be replacing the alternator too? I thought I read that somewhere, but can't put my finger on it? Thanks in advance :)

[@Sexyduffman420]

My e46 has an electric fan. I bought it used but I'm pretty sure it came stock. It's so easy to get in and out. I couldn't abide a fan/clutch assembly.

[@andrewchin7010]

i'm having same issue mine is stuck on really good

[@joseseda5465]

Hello ShopLifeTV. What brand of water pump did you used.?? Because my last 2 water pump just last about 2 years and 20k miles each.! Thanks for your videos...!!!!

[@jesusrogelio23]

If the water pump on my 04 330ci is out what else do you recommend I replace to go along with that? I know you said the belts and the fan switch as well as the tensioner and the pulley, any other major parts?

[@Viperoloff01]

Two questions, I am doing the water pump thermostat, pulleys and tensioner's while I am going in to replace the oil filter housing gasket. Do I need to drain the engine oil before i remove the housing? did an oil change 2,500kms back. Should I also drain all coolant?

[@neb-co2cs]

Hi Jason, my car is 325Ci 2002. I am planning to change the pulleys as I am hearing some whining noise but only to find out that I don't have idler pulley! The belt goes straight from alternator pulley to water pump pulley. Do you think this was removed by the previous owner or standard for this model? Thanks.

[@PacsunGuy15]

i just switched out my heater pipe and water pipe from under the manifold, started driving for 3 days and again, i have a leak at the same spot but i started looking at the water pump area, could it be that my water pump o ring is old and letting coolant come out ? possible cause ? love ur vids bro, they’ve helped out a lot!!

[@ericroethe8716]

Do you happen to have the part numbers for the pullies and tensioner?

[@jaesindnb6197]

I had a tensioner go and the idler bolt broke of into the filter housing. I replaced the housing with a used one. It came with a hydraulic tensioner. I hear the hydraulic ones last longer. Is this true? Keep up the great work bro!!!!!

[@EG0RELLC]

so what collant you putting back in and its at the same place has the prestone goes ?

[@anthonyflores160]

Is this the same process for the m56 engine as well? Oil fill cap is over the timing chain (2004 bmw 325i)

[@projman2155]

I keep hearing not to let the water pump run without coolant for it would break its mechanical seal. So how does it survive in the initial start up while the t-stat is still closed? I’m also clearing out the old coolant thru distilled water dilution method (several cycles and drain until clear), how do you ensure not to introduce cold water to a hot engine which could warp it? Thanks in advance!

[@vogeltron9816]

Hope you can respond to this comment or somebody else who has worked on E46's. So if I do this job rather than replacing the fan clutch can I just do the Electric Fan swap like you have in the other video?

[@TimmieTennis]

Nice video, wonder if you know the size of the two screws used to push out the WP. Is that something like a M10x25? Thx!

[@Volks2462]

Use the bolts from the waterpump pulley

[@sailonsailon]

Good morning Ankur, I have a 2003 BMW 325 xi, I am 70 years old and love my Bimmer, Do you have an advise to how to remove the EXPANSION TANK, I have a hard time to replace it. "I really appreciate your help"

[@enriquelagunas7477]

Thank's

[@izzystdln]

Mine has an electric fan. Does it mean the water pump is different? Or would it be the same as if it had a fan clutch?. Thanx guys.

[@Alex_-oc4bt]

I'm turning the socket for the belt tensioner clockwise but the tensioner is not budging at all. Screw is moving slightly clockwise and I'm afraid I'll strip it. Am I doing something wrong or is the tensioner just shot?

[@kennethedgar2933]

Hi leave in the UK have e46 323 what oil do you use never know which one thanks great video ken

[@Volks2462]

5w30 or 5w40 BMW LL01 spec

[@jimmmmmypokemonplug206]

Do you put gasket maker or no?

[@sumochop360]

Dude! I just tried pushing mine in and it took all my strength to just get it in enough to thread one nut onto a bolt. Mine had a bunch of build up from lime scale or hard water since I've been running just water and no coolant. Been broke! Hopefully it doesn't cause a problem but it's all tightened down.

[@Alex_-oc4bt]

Just use distilled water then

[@annie030560]

I need to find which way I unscrew the antenna from my BMW 2006 325ci convertible

[@andrews2444]

What if my heater or AC doesn’t work for the last part of this video, will I still be OK?

[@kensil1817]

How do you know its time for a new water pump ?

[@4200time]

my water pump exploded had to order parts (rockauto) the belt that came says it's to fit but it's long an inch ish old one is lost on road ? is there different size belts . my auto store can't even order oh 2001 330xi belt is roadmax 6pk1539 ....what's the deal

[@willk3807]

Tip for any DIY ...use aluminum foil to cover the crank pulley. If you form the foil just right. You can make a funnel down into drain pan.

[@AnthonyBoettcher24]

Hey really digging your channel? do you have a website where you sell parts from scraped cars etc? Also by any chance can you review or show more audi :D?

[@ShopLifeTV]

Thanks, and you can message me on instagram @ShopLifeTV for any parts inquiries. I am not really big on VAG cars, but if I ever come across one, will definitely make some videos on those as well. Thanks for watching!

[@anelkadiric4940]

Make a video on how to replace the starter on a e46 auto trans plz it's so hard I had to take off the intake many and still can't get a spot to put my hand in idk what to do

[@ShopLifeTV]

Will do so once I get the chance. Thanks for watching!

[@SalmanKhan-nq3zu]

Hello fron London, hooked on your Vlogs, proud owner of 2 E46's 1999 318i SE & 2003 320i SE Touring. question - constant traction control and yellow hardbreak light on. changed both front wishbone, bushes and droplinks plus had the tracking done but light will not go out. could some sensor need attention? no fault codes on odb2. any ideas?

[@ShopLifeTV]

Hey hows it going? Does your speedometer work? It could just be one of the wheel speed sensors or the steering angle sensor.

[@johncrosk3448]

Way late but maybe it is of some use. Possibly ABS sensors, one on each wheel. Or could be a ABS computer fault that needs clearing. I had something like this for months (in addition to a P0335 code), and couldn't get rid of it until I got PA soft set up and cleared all codes.

[@anthonyleinweber1336]

one thing i notice is that the new pump had the plastic impeler. which is known as a fail point in these cars. they sell an after market with metal impeler and they are 54$. great video though!

[@jobhoogeboom]

If you get an good quality waterpump like skf the plastic impeller will outlive the car itself

[@gregorytolson4621]

What brand water pump do you highly recommend?

[@mdev8846]

Hepu

[@notjohn3186]

Hey I just gotten a e46 and I was wondering is there a way to change an starter without removing the intake manifold

[@ShopLifeTV]

Yes, but it will be a lot more difficult

[@notjohn3186]

+ShopLifeTV Thanks I had done it yesterday. I removed the intake manifold it made it a lot easier

[@yordan961]

can you tell me the price o fthe water pump??? and if the e46 facelifted version (i mean 2003 for example) the water pump is different?

[@ShopLifeTV]

Depends on where you get it from, the water pump is the same between e46 gas models. Should be between 50-75 if buying from a parts store.

[@b0lbi]

Sometimes you can get those stubborn fan clutches off with a air hammer and chisel

[@tbirdboy]

Kid knows his $hit.

[@jeepzj777]

Did you replace a metal impeller waterpump with a plastic impeller waterpump? Hope not. Also why didnt you replace the plastic thermostat with a metal one? Seems odd not to.

[@alpinaB12coupe]

Everyone should learn to do this on their e46 due to the fact water pumps are really an issue with e46s

[@graemewilliams1308]

AlpinaB12coupe: Water pumps & and everything else. E46 = Mechanic$ dream come true.

[@demik1553]

Will this work on 2002, 330Ci

[@test-ky8tu]

Yes

[@ghostymusic1411]

My bmw is still leaking coolant I can’t figure out why

[@Rendierenzijnlief]

Ghosty music14 check the coolant hoses

[@samytm26]

Hello, your videos are very usefull ! But why you didn't drain the cooling liquid in the engine block ?

[@iuliusantoniosboros9291]

Ok

[@Alexotronic]

git yerself a fan clutch holder tool! ;-) Protip: Tape some cardboard over your radiator so you dont bend any of the fins.

[@ShopLifeTV]

I have the pulley holder that came with the 32 flat wrench lol. It's actually a lot easier and quicker with the pry bar though. Good tip on the cardboard :) Thanks for watching!

[@MyProductTutorials]

That fan clutch is a b****.... but I’ll try doing the hex5 method tomorrow.

[@gunner9035]

He looks like the Indian guy from the walking dead 😂😂😂😂

[@johnnyboy4882]

Just get an electric fun, so much better solution and they are cheap. Enjoy the extra 0.5hp too.