2001 W208
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 535
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From: Franklin, MA
2006 CLK 350/. 2009 CLK 350/2005 Both White
2001 W208
Can any one tell me what tools I will need for a waterpump on my car what size torx and sockets I know the job is easy i have done a few BMW e36 pumps I just need to figure out what tools to buy
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,258
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From: Boston North Shore
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
While I did not replace the water pump, as preventive maintenance, I recently replaced my belt, idler pulley and belt tensioner (w/ the new type).
You'll have to remove the belt tension, which requires a 10mm Torx socket (if you have the old style tensioner) or a standard 17mm socket (if you have the new style tensioner). You'll also need to insert a 5mm drift pin to keep tension removed during the next remaining work.
To remove the water pump pulley bolts, you'll need a 10mm socket. Hint: Best to first loosen them a bit before removing the belt tension, otherwise removal from a free spinning pulley may be difficult.
You may need to remove the idler pulley (located just above the water pump for full access to the water pump) which will require a T50 Torx bit. This pulley is very prone to failure and when they fail, your looking at expensive breakdown and/or repair, so it would be a good to check it for cracks on the pulley's back side at this time (e.g. I found mine had 3 cracks and the replacement pulley was less than $20)
Removal of the water pump bolts should require 6mm, 8mm and 10mm sockets. Hint: Bolt lengths may vary, so be sure to keep track of which ones go where when replacing.
Be sure to verify and retorque all the bolts removed back to factory specifications.
PS: The water pumps on BMW E-36 series where very prone to failure but, thankfully I never had to replace mine.
You'll have to remove the belt tension, which requires a 10mm Torx socket (if you have the old style tensioner) or a standard 17mm socket (if you have the new style tensioner). You'll also need to insert a 5mm drift pin to keep tension removed during the next remaining work.
To remove the water pump pulley bolts, you'll need a 10mm socket. Hint: Best to first loosen them a bit before removing the belt tension, otherwise removal from a free spinning pulley may be difficult.
You may need to remove the idler pulley (located just above the water pump for full access to the water pump) which will require a T50 Torx bit. This pulley is very prone to failure and when they fail, your looking at expensive breakdown and/or repair, so it would be a good to check it for cracks on the pulley's back side at this time (e.g. I found mine had 3 cracks and the replacement pulley was less than $20)
Removal of the water pump bolts should require 6mm, 8mm and 10mm sockets. Hint: Bolt lengths may vary, so be sure to keep track of which ones go where when replacing.
Be sure to verify and retorque all the bolts removed back to factory specifications.
PS: The water pumps on BMW E-36 series where very prone to failure but, thankfully I never had to replace mine.
Last edited by Serndipity; Nov 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM.
