[joekitch]

it seems strange that the e90 water pump has basically been designated as a wear item at this point, similar to the old e46 water pump....but has any company made a much sturdier alternative (like how there are metal impeller e46 water pumps)?

and if not....why not?
surely there is some specific component that fails on the water pump, and that component can be replaced with a more hearty version

Well, after three revsions of the "BMW" pump, what has changed? Are the newest versions lasting longer than the originals?

[Efthreeoh]

The control electronics are in the rear of the motor. They overheat and fail. It's a poor design.

[joekitch]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The control electronics are in the rear of the motor. They overheat and fail. It's a poor design.

that sounds fixable with some thermal shielding and some super tough mini electric fans that run off the same power supply. you can get pc case fans designed for industrial systems that are loud as all hell, but incredibly durable. like, outlast the car durable.

however there might be packaging restraints

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by joekitch

that sounds fixable with some thermal shielding and some super tough mini electric fans that run off the same power supply. you can get pc case fans designed for industrial systems that are loud as all hell, but incredibly durable. like, outlast the car durable.

however there might be packaging restraints

I'd just move the control electronics to the framerail so it can act as a big heat sink.

[joekitch]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I'd just move the control electronics to the framerail so it can act as a big heat sink.

heh, not a bad idea at all, thatd probably runnforever
so the motor mechanical components dont fail? and none of the plastic bits? its just the electronics?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by joekitch

heh, not a bad idea at all, thatd probably runnforever
so the motor mechanical components dont fail? and none of the plastic bits? its just the electronics?

When I dissected mine it was clear by the smell and melted conformal coating that the electronics over heated. There is a trouble code that indicates when the electronics get over 170 deg. C. they shut down. The impeller is plastic, but the one on mine looked as good as the new one.

[joekitch]

i'd be curious to see if using something like evan's coolant (100% antifreeze) would help, since it tends to run much cooler than standard 50/50 coolant and also can run at atmospheric pressure instead of needing a massive PSI pressure cap

maybe that will keep the electronics in the water pump cooler?

also, this trouble code the water pump throws, is it a ghost code (can only be read by a bmw-specific diagnostic tool)?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by joekitch

i'd be curious to see if using something like evan's coolant (100% antifreeze) would help, since it tends to run much coolant than standard 50/50 coolant and also can run at atmospheric pressure instead of needing a massive PSI pressure cap

maybe that will keep the electronics in the water pump cooler?

also, this trouble code the water pump throws, is it a ghost code (can only be read by a bmw-specific diagnostic tool)?

It's a BMW-specific code only readable with a BMW scan tool. A different coolant will make no difference, the car is designed to run within a specific tempature range, which is controlled by the thermostat.

[joekitch]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

It's a BMW-specific code only readable with a BMW scan tool.

crap
i suppose this means it cannot be read in real time? since i have heard that the water pump codes are only thrown intermittently and dont "stick" unless the water pump is like, a day from failing

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by joekitch

crap
i suppose this means it cannot be read in real time? since i have heard that the water pump codes are only thrown intermittently and dont "stick" unless the water pump is like, a day from failing

No. The two codes that show up indicating the water pump is failing are 2E81 and 2E82. 2E81 is a slow speed code. 2E82 Electrical Cooling Pump: Switch Off. Once they appear they stay until cleared.

You should search in the maintenance section on the water pump there is a lot of accurate information rather than what you have "heard". Look up Eninty's post on his failed water pump. That post explains the entire failure issue.