How to Replace the Water Pump and Thermostat on a 2006-2013 BMW X5 E70 with 4.8L Engine

[@MySurvivalPackcom]

I just wanted to say thank you for making this video! We were able to replace the water pump on our 2008 X5 in our garage with your help! Your tip to get that last bolt behind the crank pulley out was a big help.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

MySurvivalPackcom glad the video was helpful. Thank you for watching!

[@FredyArg]

I know you posted this six years ago, but i used this video today to change my pump…thank you so much for taking the time to make this and uploading it!!

[@ajmalmian5049]

You're an absolute star Brian. I was quoted $1000 CAD in parts and labour to replace water pump. I bought a pump off the internet for $100 and googled how to replace; found your video, you made the whole thing look simple and that gave me the confidence to go down Canadian tire and just buy the tools, cost me another $100 and $40 for coolant. With this video on my laptop sat on top of engine and some patience, I just carried out the replacement (took me a couple of evenings though). The level of detail in this video is bang on and little tips and tricks are great help. Saved around a $800 in labour costs. Owe you a beer!

[@KennethBostonian]

The water pump on the 4.8i is so relaxing to R & R. I’m looking forward to doing this job.

[@briantill2459]

Thanks for this very thorough video. There isn’t a fastener in any of my BMWs that I haven’t touched. I’ve learned through the years to recognize KZbin as a resource, just as long as you have the ability to sort through the bullshit. This demonstration is spot on and made for a good watch before, what became a six hour project in the driveway. The AC belt is by far the most challenging to access the tensioner. I did take the splash guard off underneath and jacked up one side of the car to access the AC tensioner. For the extra $25, everyone should replace the AC belt when doing this project. I thought about trying to access the hidden water pump bolt, behind the crank pulley. That thought lasted less than a minute. Taking the crank pulley off is quick and easy. Why struggle. The only other thing I did differently than OP, was to remove the front cross brace (4 bolts) and remove the electric fan. One electrical plug and two clips gains you six inches of room in front! This was a great post and good video quality. Thanks!!

[@GrenadeMotorsports]

Solid video. A couple things though- Make it WAY EASIER on yourselves by removing the four bolt cross brace on top and the cooling fan. The fan comes out without tools, unplug it and two push clips & it lifts right out. It will give you almost 8in of clearance. Also- you do NOT need to take that AC belt OR crank pulley off to change the water pump. Leave that lower bolt until last and the old water pump comes right out. Then all you do is use a 6mm shorter bolt, place it in the housing as you fit the new pump- BANG- Saved yourselves HOURS of struggle. Simple.

[@txxmac451]

Can you elaborate please? Maybe make a list of what to do 😅

[@Ttyme1]

yes can you please elaborate little more doing this now

[@phillip811]

Thank you! The last bolt was driving me crazy but this helped a ton. Also the guides below the alternator pulley have to be removed too in order to get the belt off and on. There are three nuts but the only the top two need to be removed. I recommend leaving the bottom nut on but loosen it so the guide can be manipulated to slide the belt under the bottom pulley.

[@jpcallan97225]

One very well organize and paced repair video - no ahhhs, hummms or dead air like many videos of this sort. Thank you for the polished effort. May I suggest you try some P-80 Rubber Assembly Lube instead of letting detergent loose in the engine, as detergent is prone to foaming. P-80 is great stuff, usable for an almost limitless list of uses: rubber hose fittings, hand grips, bicycle handlebars, etc. It leaves almost no residue. I think International Products makes it, and they do send out free samples (that's what hooked me). Thank you once again for such a professional job.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

John P. Callan thank you for the tip. I’ll give it a try

[@GroznyjGradHunter]

Detergent also contains salt...

[@sharscottyy]

Very Niceeee My Friend You Really Helping People Like Me Its A Blessing To Me God Bless

[@sebastianmarkowski3039]

I did it without removing harmonic balancer wheel. You are able to unscrew last bolt, then move water pump slightly down. Nice and easy job.

[@taylorsons4303]

I've never removed the harmonic balancer...

[@GregShort-u8q]

Thanks for the video. Removing the crossmember and the fan (easy) gives much more room. Do not need to remove the crank pulley. Just remove the belt tensioner to get to the bottom bolt as others have advised, cheers to them also.

[@myob3]

Thank you for being such a great and patient person. This video was very very helpful and I appreciate you tell us the sizes of the sockets used that's key!. Keep making video man, I hope when I start with my videos I can do them like you. Thanks a bunch

[@HowtoAutomotive]

I’m glad you like the videos. I wish you luck with yours and thank you for watching!

[@davidgabbard3282]

Just changed my x5 water pump, thank you for the video.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

david gabbard Glad to help. Thank you for watching!

[@azboulak8290]

Good work. Clear and fast and very helpful

[@divinestoreus]

Hi my friend, I did everything you said. I start the car and my fan kicks in full blast, any idea what can cause a problem?

[@sbond1963]

Hi. Need to do the thermostat only. Just go for the 3 10mm bolts, the hose, electrical connector. No need to remove the water pump housing. Is that correct?

[@AndyNav1]

Great video as usual. On my BMW X5, I noticed that the thermostat hardly opens. The thermostat, brand new from BMW dealer, is supposed to open at 97 degrees C, 201 F, but when I check the engine coolant temperature, it doesn't quite get to that level. Therefore I can never bleed the coolant completely. I've left the engine idling for a long time, but still no luck. So in winters I get cool air whenever I stop, unless I turn the fan to low; only then I get hot air but at very slow rate. When driving there's very hot air coming out the heater. The lower and higher radiator hoses are never around the same temperature, even after a long trip. Any guidance will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[@paulhidalgo7956]

Thanks for making this video. I’m going to change my water today my self. Wish me luck. 🤞🏾

[@paulhidalgo7956]

What state your from?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Paul Hidalgo good luck with the repair. I’m in San Diego. Thank you for watching!

[@paulhidalgo7956]

How to Automotive I’m in Massachusetts I wish u were closer

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Paul Hidalgo hopefully you have a warm spot to work.

[@taylorsons4303]

I've tried to bleed the system with the engine off but no luck....when I turn the car on I see the coolant coming thur the hole by the cap. Is it normal are do I need to change something else?

[@switchbaxr]

Thanks for posting this video, have you worked on a 2013 X-drive 50i with Twin Turbo? Any tips for removing the hoses? I'm having a difficult time pulling the hoses off of the old water pump. I have the clips pulled, but they just seem to not budge at all.

[@deboelduro]

Awesome video and very detailed explanation. You gave me the confidence to do this job on my own 💪. Keep em coming sir

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Elvis Castillo thank you! Good luck with your car!

[@bobbybarnes2790]

Excellent video and tutorial

[@dljunior2852]

Outstanding instructions Sir. Only thing I seen which you didn't cover because your pump came apart was how you drain the system. You would have thought that there would be a way to drain the radiator instead of taking off a hose at its lowest point. I was so disappointed to not find a petcock or some other way than to get coolant all over the place. This is not a mark against you but the manufacturer. Just could have been less mess to clean up. Thank you again.

[@labidus74]

do you need to remove the pulley to change the water pump ? because mine is fine

[@HowtoAutomotive]

labidus74 You will have to remove it but you can reuse it if it’s in good shape

[@labidus74]

I saw my code, it does not talk about water pump but aux water pump and thermostat, do you think the noize is from the thermostat or aux water pump, or really the water pump, I guess my main water pump is fine since no code related to that?

[@MA-kb7pc]

There's one bolt that the crank pulley is removed for... it is possible to not remove it . Get a wrench and open up the 10 bolt and its gonna be a little tight but you can squeeze it out... afterwards get a smaller bolt and reinstall it's a little tight but it is possible.

[@GroznyjGradHunter]

Amazing tutorial, well done and thank you

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Mike Bellini thank you! Did everything go smooth for you?

[@GroznyjGradHunter]

@@HowtoAutomotive I am about to do it. Once I have decided if I am going to go for a lower temp thermostat or a standard 105c as my OEM tstat is defective. Any thoughts on this greatly appreciated! 👍

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Mike Bellini I would stay with the OEM

[@GroznyjGradHunter]

@@HowtoAutomotive Thanks for your input. Subscribed 🙏

[@EricBriggs-q9y]

I need some advise my bottom belt will not go on like it’s to big

[@faustinoabelcruzarreola9693]

Where you buy all the parts

[@r2ba435]

Hey Brian I have a question, lately in my 2011 charger if I go full throttle it almost seems like it will go dead before it shifts. But I don't think the engine actually cuts off completely. It only does it occasionally and it's also bounced off the rev limiter a few times lately even though it's just in drive and I'm not using the paddles. What do you think it could be? I haven't had any lights come on the dash yet.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

5hemi7 sounds like it may be a Crank season going out. I would start with some scan date to set if anything stands out and check for pending codes.

[@wer8148]

Can you please tell me the order info for the Water pump Pulley

[@phillipscott5399]

How did you drain the coolent from the system

[@dflex4180]

he just disconnected one of the coolant hoses and it drained out bottom

[@petar443]

Nice work.Nice car.Nice video.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Petar thank you and thank you for watching!

[@manuelsolorio2236]

You forgot put the link for the water pump pulley, I try look for it but I want to make sure is the right one,

[@David_R6]

I did the process and now my fan turns on full blast and I did replace both coolant sensor, any idea want it can be?

[@edwardwirth4585]

Did you solve your fan on full blast problem? I have same thing happening? Thank you in advance.

[@edwardwirth4585]

I cleared the codes using Ancel BM700 and the fan turned off. Then I used the scan tool to monitor the temperature for the 1st couple times out.

[@russellgenastrychavezlirio6668]

Nice and clear video....Thank bruh.

[@justinmariano865]

You can remove the pump without taking off the crank pulley, remove the belt tensioner and that give you access to loose the screw and it has enough space for the bolt to come out.

[@paulhidalgo7956]

Hey. I changed the water pump and put coolant in it but my fan stays on. Any suggestions!!

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Paul Hidalgo I need to clear out all the code with a scan tool

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Paul Hidalgo and if that doesn’t work the coolant temp sensor is stuck making the car think it’s overheating

[@125sm3]

Nice job mate !

[@HowtoAutomotive]

125 SM thank you!

[@zhihengli8051]

Hi my crank pully is stucked can not pull it out any help thanks

[@HowtoAutomotive]

You’re gonna have to put a puller on it. And if there’s no room to get it in there remove the radiator.

[@zhihengli8051]

How to Automotive thanks a lot

[@neverstoplearning382]

Nice as always. Thank you sir!!

[@labidus74]

I have this x5 engine, I have a leak under a metal case near lower hose and vamos solenoid on the passenger side, what is this piece? I changed upper hose, thermostat, but new problem lol

[@HowtoAutomotive]

labidus74 sounds like your taking about the vanos seal or timing cover.

[@labidus74]

@@HowtoAutomotive its coolant leak not oil, I cleanuped vanos bit as far I am concerned vanos not related to coolant leak

[@dflex4180]

@@labidus74 upper coolant hose...connector is made out of plastic upgrade to metal FCP euro

[@MikeHensley-sc3ns]

Water inlet pipe part number???

[@alexandraava3034]

Thank You

[@lanaydaniels1759]

Thanks .I never respond to these I also subscribed and like.Thanks again

[@KennethBostonian]

Thank you for this video. I’m doing this job next week or when FCPEURO delivers the parts. While I’m deep in. I’ll replace my AC bearing pulley. It went bad. Remove the alternator and power steering pump and replace the oil thermostat gasket. The stealership wanted $2,875 for that job lol. $1,620 for the water pump. I laughed. I said no no no, sorry. I’m not complaining. I just wanted to hear them say it lol.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Wow you’re gonna save a ton of money. Angry do as much as you can while you’re in there. Thank you for watching!

[@williamarchuleta6817]

Great Job on the video! ty

[@HowtoAutomotive]

William Archuleta thank you!

[@oceanlin2066]

The crankshaft code come out. And I clean it but when I start the car it appear again. Give me a hand please 🤝

[@taylorsons4303]

All mane I done strip the screw under the pulley for the AC belt....now I can't even put the belt on...wtf

[@mrgambino86]

Is this electronic water pump?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Mike Haze not on this model.

[@oceanlin2066]

I just fixed one. Oil leaking, change the battery and the alternator,but now the engine light always on 😂

[@karmaaina]

Try resetting it

[@workinghandsautomotiveands4104]

Hey brian i love my m12 fuel1/4 ratchets

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Working Hands Automotive that ratchet kicks but! Glad you like it!

[@wer8148]

And the A/C belt is a dead link on Amazon

[@ramtrucks721]

You seem to work on a lot of Beemers....

[@HowtoAutomotive]

RAM TRUCKS I see a mix of European and Asian cars. And a few Fords and Chevys here in there.

[@nutz4gunz457]

BMW is short for Bring Mechanic With.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Nutz4Gunz45 lol I like it!

[@txxmac451]

Holy shit not looking forward to this but wish me luck

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Good luck with your repair!

[@nurse600]

Batter electric water pump .. like x6

[@gregormanajlo19]

okay so I can't fix it at home :DD

[@dflex4180]

why not? of course you can

[@jameslopez3916]

Thank you man! Amazing video.

[@txxmac451]

I havent gotten a check engine light when car is running, but when i start it the engine is on full blast and the temp in the hidden menu reads ungültig which means invalid so i dont run the car at all idk if it'll overheat, what could this mean?