N16 Water pipe replacement tricks?
Discussion
I've got a coolant leak from the pump/seal end of a waterpipe on an N16 in a 2010 R56.
Not the easiest of things to replace I am advised. I've actually been advised to try relacing the seal only first if I can as thats the bit thats failed according to the garage that has found the leak.
Are there any tricks or just a case of get under there, get very wet and dirty and start pulling bits off (thermostat housing/starter etc) to get to it?
Not the easiest of things to replace I am advised. I've actually been advised to try relacing the seal only first if I can as thats the bit thats failed according to the garage that has found the leak.
Are there any tricks or just a case of get under there, get very wet and dirty and start pulling bits off (thermostat housing/starter etc) to get to it?
You should replace the pipe imo. They become brittle. Also only use genuine bmw. You need to remove the thermostat to be able to remove the pipe, it’s all a bit of a b
d the first time you do it. I took the inlet manifold off too to provide space and access although experienced people can do it with it in place.
It runs behind here and it’s hard to even see (mines a turbo though so maybe yours has more space)
d the first time you do it. I took the inlet manifold off too to provide space and access although experienced people can do it with it in place.It runs behind here and it’s hard to even see (mines a turbo though so maybe yours has more space)
I saw a YT where the bloke did it with the inlet manifold in situ but I'm 100% sure it was bullst because my experience suggests it's impossible.
Absolutely no need to go under the car at all, you clear the bits out of the way of the thermostat housing, unbolt that, undo the clip, and it'll come out easily enough but to get it out I have always removed the inlet manifold which is a 30 minute job, the only hard bit was access to a couple of the bolts at the bottom of the inlet I think.
I've never taken a thermostat off one of these without the pipe shifting and turning out to be in bits at the water pump end so 100% count on needing a pipe.
OE pipes aren't expensive, I've used a Febi Bilstein that fitted fine too but it's such an arse I'd just spend the extra tenner because so many aftermarket parts are rubbish now and don't quite fit right. You can buy metal pipes but the OE one lasted 16 years and do you expect the car to live to be 30+
I'd do the stat at the same time just so it's done, because taking it off in the future will likely disturb the pipe and it's a ballbag even to line up and get it home again.
I've reused the inlet manifold gaskets without issue because I wasn't expecting to have to take it off (thanks YT knobber) so didn't have the parts in, but if I am planning to do this job in advance I buy a set in for a couple of quid.
t because my experience suggests it's impossible.Absolutely no need to go under the car at all, you clear the bits out of the way of the thermostat housing, unbolt that, undo the clip, and it'll come out easily enough but to get it out I have always removed the inlet manifold which is a 30 minute job, the only hard bit was access to a couple of the bolts at the bottom of the inlet I think.
I've never taken a thermostat off one of these without the pipe shifting and turning out to be in bits at the water pump end so 100% count on needing a pipe.
OE pipes aren't expensive, I've used a Febi Bilstein that fitted fine too but it's such an arse I'd just spend the extra tenner because so many aftermarket parts are rubbish now and don't quite fit right. You can buy metal pipes but the OE one lasted 16 years and do you expect the car to live to be 30+
I'd do the stat at the same time just so it's done, because taking it off in the future will likely disturb the pipe and it's a ballbag even to line up and get it home again.
I've reused the inlet manifold gaskets without issue because I wasn't expecting to have to take it off (thanks YT knobber) so didn't have the parts in, but if I am planning to do this job in advance I buy a set in for a couple of quid.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Thursday 12th February 18:49
This is sounding more promising!
Interesting about the pipe failing after the housing is replaced... that was done a while back by another garage.
So basically, new pipe and manifold gaskets as a starting point.
I'll do the breather pipe at the same time as thats started to break down at the top end.
Interesting about the pipe failing after the housing is replaced... that was done a while back by another garage.
So basically, new pipe and manifold gaskets as a starting point.
I'll do the breather pipe at the same time as thats started to break down at the top end.
Yes do all from above (apart from taking off lower hose to drain coolant). I reused the manifold gaskets as I found they were prohibitively expensive. Maybe after market would be cheap. They’re flat (not like O rings) so don’t seem to get damaged, and have been ok.
Where the thermostat sits:
Waterpump end where the pipe goes:
Where the thermostat sits:
Waterpump end where the pipe goes:
Psyching myself up for this job, I've got a couple of days off coming up and just had an OEM pipe delivered. About to order new manifold gaskets (12 quid off ebay) and a new crankcase breather as the existing one is failing.
Do I need a new o-ring for the thermostat end of the pipe?
11518613804 <<-- 20 quid even off ebay for an o-ring!
Thermostat was new last year.
Any other bits worth doing?
Do I need a new o-ring for the thermostat end of the pipe?
11518613804 <<-- 20 quid even off ebay for an o-ring!
Thermostat was new last year.
Any other bits worth doing?
21TonyK said:
Psyching myself up for this job, I've got a couple of days off coming up and just had an OEM pipe delivered. About to order new manifold gaskets (12 quid off ebay) and a new crankcase breather as the existing one is failing.
Do I need a new o-ring for the thermostat end of the pipe?
11518613804 <<-- 20 quid even off ebay for an o-ring!
Thermostat was new last year.
Any other bits worth doing?
I don't remember changing an O-ring at the thermostat end, does the stat come with one?Do I need a new o-ring for the thermostat end of the pipe?
11518613804 <<-- 20 quid even off ebay for an o-ring!
Thermostat was new last year.
Any other bits worth doing?
I can't think of any other "while your there" jobs. One or two of the manifold bolts were a "look at a picture then find my touch" job but I don't recall this being a particularly bad job. Good luck!
CoolHands said:
I use a nice pair of knipex but you can probably manage with long needle nose pliers but be prepared to curse. The clamps are extremely tight and somewhat awkward to get to
I just use the standard "slip-joint pliers" like those but without the ends, never had an issue, but wouldn't personally recommend long nose pliers as they would be too difficult to get at many that I have come across, and with too little leverage.Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff