I was surprised by the amount of noise coming from the water pump when speeding up and slowing down during the 12 minute automatic bleeding process. It sounded like the screetchy noise a worn out bearing would produce.
Before the coolant change I read many posts about it and seem to remember that some people wanted to know, how they could tell the pump was working at all, because they could not hear anything.
There is no CEL. INPA also shows no faults.

 

Interesting, I did my flush a few days ago and I could barely hear it. Is it as noise when the car is started?

 

Your observation is correct.
Properly working [electric] water pump shouldn't make any noises; the only thing we should hear during the bleeding process is the coolant flowing thru the system.

 

This is what the pump sounds like during the bleeding process:


http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...t/P1010858.mp4

 

Bringing the car to my trusted indy on Monday. Will replace pump and thermostat for $800 for parts and labor.

 

I guess that price is not bad...

Water pump is $378 (on Amazon) and around $75 for the thermostat, around $25 for 1 gal of BMW coolant, plus 2 to 3 hours of labor.

I'd say the dealer would charge around $1500 for the same job.

 

My indy will not install customer supplied parts. He only does BMWs (plus Ferrari and Lomborgini ).

 

BMW just changed mine for bearing nosies. $620

 

I have done both in feb of this year. It is super easy job and I think that anyone that does not afraid to get hands dirty is able to do it. No special tools needed. Cool the car down and jack it up. Three screws hold thermostat two clamps holding hoses and remove the plug. You also need the bucket for coolant that will come out. Remember not to reuse the old coolant. As for the pump it is located on the drivers side mounted to the frame in a holder. That holder comes with a new pump but I did not bother to replace the holder. I have got the pump for 160 plus taxes from the dealer. It is easier to remove it from the top but there is a plug at the bottom of it that I have removed from underneath the car. You need to remove filter box to remove that pump. It is only 5 screws to remove it and makes the job a lot easier. GL!

 

rafichicago: If you did it on your 545i, you do not have the electric fuel pump, which by itself runs about $400 to $500 plus another $80 for the thermostat. Installation is also different.