Hey, I have a coolant loss that I was unable to diagnose, mostly due to a hurricane, work etc. etc.

So, I wnet to BMW (no Mini dealer around) and they said it is the water pump. So, I will be out the door for about $700!

$193 for the pump,
$24 for coolant
and I am having the belt replaces ($40) since the old one is coming off anyways.

I have to have the car for the weekend, as I have to get down to Pennsylvania.

I don't have a shop, have a general collection of tools, usually do the work on vehicles myself, but they are american, and japanese cars. They want 3.5 hours labor for the pump at $104/hour, plus an hour for the diagnosis today.
I have changed Water pumps on Hondas, chevys, pontiacs. . .how difficult is this job? Any special tools? should I just suck it up and have them do it?

Who has done it, and how involved is it?

2008 S Clubman

Cheers,
Dennis

 

Your water pump may have a recall on it and would be fixed under warranty

 

Are you referring to the electric auxiliary water pump? http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/01/...fecting-79000/

This is just the main water pump. I can't believe that it would fail at 50,000 miles. I have had so many cars, and I have never heard of such silliness. Not impressed.

 

There are no independent mechanics in the area? Only BMW?

We swapped out the water pumps on our R50 and R53 (No R55 I know) and it seemed fairly straight forward. We have access to a Bentley manual for your Clubman that we can scan for you if it helps (and if you're feeling ambitious!).

 

Ah, thanks but it is a little late. I sucked it up and let them do it. I was under the gun on time, as I had to go to PA a couple days later. Turns out, the mechanic at BMW told the service advisor that that was the last one of those he's doing! If he had a hateful time, with a lift, clean climate controlled shop and a big selection of tools, I would have been pretty unhappy outside on my gravel driveway.

Live to turn wrenches another day.

Cheers,
Dennis

 

As far as the Bentley Manual goes, mine had just arrived a few days earlier. It basically showed the pump, and a few bolts and said remove these. I didn't see where it discussed the 2 hours of disassembly of the vehicle just to get 'to' the pump. Out of the dozens of repair / service manuals I have collected over a lifetime, I'm least impressed with the most expensive one. The Bentley. Maybe it will take time to warm up to it.

Right now, not very satisfied.

Oh, and while I am at it. . .for you who don't actually know. . .Pelican Parts Rocks. Got my brakes from you. Bravo Zulu.

 

3bolts to remove the friction drive assembly, 3 bolts to remove the water pump pulley, 5 bolts to remove the pump. All 10mm. Shouldn't take long even in a gravel driveway. Just in a tight spot

 

I can definitely offer my condolences, and hope this was a "completely unfamiliar with the car" bill. $700! Right! Did I mention my non-S Clubman may have some coolant loss at 75k miles? Lovely. Be safe. I love my R55, but she's been having issues being here in Missouri the last few months - I think she liked the north Georgia mountains where she was.

and ps - may be a good time to start looking for an independent shop in your area - I never found anything worth paying extra for at a BMW or a Mercedes dealer - Mini dealers have been good so far, where you can find them. Only 4 hours from me (one way) here in Missouri.