Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

Water Pump and Thermostat Replacement

Model: BMW Serie 3 E46 - Years 1998-2006
Part: Pump

Open the hood and ensure it is securely supported. The water pump is located at the front of the engine, so you need to remove the air intake duct, the cooling fan cover, and the fan itself. Then, pry the tensioner to release the drive belt and subsequently remove the drive pulley of the water pump (it is secured with four bolts).
Before proceeding with the removal of the pump, it is recommended to drain the coolant through the designated cap (blue) located under the radiator. Disconnect the rubber hoses and the connector attached to the thermostat, and remove the thermostat assembly (it is located just above the water pump).
You can now remove the mounting bolts of the water pump and extract it from its housing. Insert the new pump and tighten the corresponding mounting bolts. Next, install the new thermostat housing, connecting the hoses and the connector. Finally, reattach the drive pulley of the pump and the belt. Restore the coolant level (using antifreeze) and reinstall the fan and ducts that were previously removed. Start the engine, activate the cabin heater, and let it warm up until the fan engages to open the thermostat and check its operation; recheck the coolant level.

Updated on 4 February 2026 by ScegliAuto

Video tutorial

Related tutorials

How to Remove the Thermostat from a BMW 3 Series
How to Remove the Thermostat from a BMW 3 Series
BMW Serie 3 (2005-2013 / E91, E90, E92) In the following video, see how to remove the thermostat and water pump on a BMW 3 Series. Lift the car on a column lift; remove the engine cover pan…
How to Replace the Water Pump on a BMW 3 Series E36?
How to Replace the Water Pump on a BMW 3 Series E36?
BMW Serie 3 (1990-2001 / E36) Before starting, gather the necessary tools using the list shown in the first 20 seconds of this video. Open the hood and remove the cap from the coo…
How to Replace the EGR Thermostat on a BMW 320d
How to Replace the EGR Thermostat on a BMW 320d
BMW Serie 3 (2005-2013 / E91, E90, E92) Is the thermostat on your BMW 320d malfunctioning? No problem, today you will learn how to replace it. Once you have the new thermostat, you can star…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Bleed the Clutch on a Renault Clio?

To bleed the clutch on a Renault Clio, open the bonnet to access the components located in the engine bay: here, you will need to undo the screws that secure the battery in its housing, the intake manifold, and the coolant reservoir. This will allow you to locate the pipe through which the brake fluid flows: by inserting the other end of the pipe into a container, you can press the clutch pedal to expel all the fluid until it fills the container.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos