rctmthouse

Took awhile but finally was able to remove the pump; glad I didn't have to remove the big engine pulley completely to get to the screw behind it or remove the electric fan. The space was a bit tight though. Lots of minor cuts on arms and hand and one big gash on my finger when I tried to yank out the old pump but it was definitely a learning experience.

Will try to put the new pump back in tomorrow morning.

Big thanks to Turboawd for answering all my emails today even though it's the holiday weekend. I definitely wouldn't not be able to get this far without his advices.

turboawd

sounds like someone owes me a beer.

rctmthouse

email me your address and I'll have several cases of your favorite delivered to your door...and I mean that too.

Thanks for your help buddy!!!

"insert beer emoticon"

turboawd

just joking man.

thats why i love these forums...we can learn so much from each other.

rctmthouse

You got that right. That's why whenever I get a different car, I searched around and joined all forums that are associated with it.

Once again, thanks a lot for what you did today.

Beers are always on me whenever you're in the mood.

BTW, any tips you have for me for the transmission fluid? I still need to figure out where the differential fluid area is in the back end so I can jack up the car from the rear.

blacktalant

lets hope its just the water pump, i was'nt that lucky. when i first heard the noise i thought the same thing, i change the water pump, i even take off the valve cover to see if its the lifters. there was oil on my #2 plug every 30 miles. i took it to Henry in the bronx, and he told me he had a car working on with the same problem. the engine block was damage by one of the piston. i had to buy a used engine becaused i'm not under warranty. wish you all the luck

rctmthouse

thanks for the heads up...TBH, this is my one and only attempt to fix the engine noise. If it's something else more costly, I'm gonna let it go for whatever and move on to the next car...eying an '07 or possibly '08 7 series now since it does have more room in the back to drive my daughter around when I need to. I love the handling and the power of my 5; after all I did own it for more than 2 years and enjoyed every seconds of that V-8.

However if I do move to a 7, I need to find a different forum though because the 7 series forum here is just too quiet. I guess there was a reason why they called it 5series.net.

blacktalant

i got a used engine from http://www.bmrparts.com/used_bmw_engines.html with two years warranty for $4500, unlimited miles

rctmthouse

thanks for the link.

Seems like it was the water pump and the tensioner pulley problem. It's fixed for now...fingers crossed.