Recommended replacement interval for the part category Water Pump + Timing Belt Kit : 70000 km

Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Coupe (E36) 323i, BMW 3 Coupe (E36) 328 i, BMW 3 Coupe (E36) 325i, BMW 3 Coupe (E36) 320i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      All-purpose cleaning spray
                    
                      Sealant
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Drive socket # 7
                    
                      Drive socket # 10
                    
                      Drive socket # 13
                    
                      Drive socket # 16
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Clip removal tool
                    
                      Seal scraper
                    
                      Flat screwdriver
                    
                      Funnel
                    
                      Fluid container
                    
                      Fender cover

Buy tools

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). Tip from AUTODOC:

Follow the terms, recommendations and requirements of the part operation provided by the manufacturer.
Check the coolant condition and replace it if necessary.
Inspect the thermostat and the thermostat housing. Replace if necessary.
Please note: all work on the car – BMW 3 Coupe (E36) – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the hood.

Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.

Step 3

Remove the fasteners of the air duct housing. Use a clip removal tool.

Step 4

Remove the air distribution housing assembly.
Step 5

Unscrew the coolant reservoir cap.
Step 6

Prepare a container for fluids.
Step 7

Open the coolant drain tap.
Step 8

Drain the coolant from the engine.

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). Tip from AUTODOC:
Caution! The coolant can be very hot.Wear gloves to prevent contact with hot liquid.Please note: all work on the car – BMW 3 Coupe (E36) – should be done with the engine switched off.Wait until the coolant has completely flowed out of the drain hole.
Step 9

Close the coolant drain tap.
Step 10

Loosen the clamps of the coolant hoses. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Detach the coolant hose.
Step 12

Loosen the coolant hose clamp. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Detach the coolant hose.
Step 14

Detach the coolant pipe bracket. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Unscrew the thermostat housing fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16

Clean the thermostat housing fasteners. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the thermostat housing fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the thermostat housing.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). To avoid damaging the part when removing it, do not use excessive force.Caution! Coolant may leak out of the coolant lines and thermostat housing.
Step 19

Unscrew the water pump pulley fastener. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Pull aside the V-ribbed belt tensioner pulley. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 21

Remove the V-ribbed belt.

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check the condition of the tensioner pulley and idler pulley. Replace them if necessary.
Step 22

Return the tensioner pulley to its initial position.

Step 23

Remove the water pump pulley.
Step 24

Clean the water pump mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 25

Unscrew the water pump fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 26

Remove the water pump.

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). Tip:
Caution! Coolant may come out from the water pump channels and body.
Step 27

Clean the water pump mounting seat. Use a seal scraper. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 28

Treat the water pump mounting seat. Use a sealant.
Step 29

Install the new water pump.
Step 30

Tighten the water pump fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 9 nm torque.
Step 31

Install the water pump pulley.
Step 32

Screw in the fasteners of the water pump pulley. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 33

Pull aside the V-ribbed belt tensioner pulley. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 34

Install the V-ribbed belt.

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). AUTODOC recommends:
Make sure that the V-ribbed belt fits all pulleys snugly.
Step 35

Return the tensioner pulley to its initial position. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 36

Tighten the water pump pulley fastener. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 17 nm torque.
Step 37

Treat the thermostat housing mounting seat. Use a sealant.
Step 38

Install the thermostat housing.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). To avoid damaging the part during installation, do not use excessive force.
Step 39

Attach the coolant pipe bracket. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 11 nm torque.
Step 40

Tighten the thermostat housing fasteners. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 7 nm torque.
Step 41

Clean the thermostat housing fasteners. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 42

Connect the coolant hoses to the thermostat housing.
Step 43

Fasten the clamps of the coolant hoses. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 44

Remove the coolant reservoir cap.
Step 45

Insert the funnel.
Step 46

Pour coolant in the coolant reservoir.

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Only use the coolant recommended by the manufacturer.The coolant level should be at the MAX mark.Wait until the air goes out of the system.
Step 47

Open the coolant system bleed screw. Use a flat screwdriver.

Replacement: water pump – BMW 3 Coupe (E36). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
This should be done in order to remove residual air from the cooling system and to check if the components are operating correctly.
Step 48

Check the coolant level. If necessary, top up to the required level.
Step 49

Install the coolant reservoir cap.
Step 50

Screw on the coolant reservoir cap.
Step 51

Run the engine for a few minutes. This should be done in order to remove residual air from the cooling system and to check if the components are operating correctly.

Step 52

Close the coolant system bleed screw. Use a flat screwdriver.

Step 53

Shut off the engine.

Step 54

Reinstall the air distribution housing assembly.

Step 55

Install the air duct housing fasteners.

Step 56

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 57

Close the hood.

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