Water pump brands

[PaulM]

OK I know variety is the spice of life but the number of makes of water pumps is ridiculous.
Checking only a couple of parts sites (not sure if listing vendors is frowned on or not so I will leave it off) I get the following:
A-1 Cardone reman
Uro parts - metal impeller with O ring
Pronto - includes gasket
BGA
Gates
Airtex
KLARIUS/QUINTON HAZELL
Bosch - includes gasket
Cardone select new - includes gasket
First line
AC Delco
Beck arnley - metal impeller
beck Arnley - resin impeller includes gasket ($2 more than above)
GEBA - picture says germany on housing showes O ring
GRAF
Saleri
Airtex
GMB

Prices range from $20 for reman and bout $26 to about 60 for new. Are these found in other cars as well? Any preferred brands (Bosch, GEBA???, Beck Arnley...), or problem brands?

I'm getting a bearing type squeal not much at idle increases with engine speed, will pull belts etc to try to narrow it down rather than throw parts at it - but - since water pumps are a known weak point I figure it would be worthwhile to have one on hand.

Thanks
Paul

[slow_ti]

whatever you do, get a metal impeller. and if your swapped, get a stewart water pump, i have one and it kicks as*

[1996 328ti]

Last time I checked, BMW used a composite impeller.
I have a Stewart-Warner also. My last water pump only had +240,000 miles.
I hope the Stewart-Warner does better.

[slow_ti]

life time warranty is ANYTHING happens on the stewart

[PaulM]

Things I find for Stewart state 6 cilinder (no mention of the 318 M42 M44 engine - in fact references on bimmerforums that they don't make one for the 318 series) and look to cost about 175-200, about 4X or more the others!

So - others?

Paul

[cooljess76]

Bosch or Graf will be your best bet.

[BimmerBum]

For many reasons the Stewart pump is the best pump for the twin cam sixes but that is the only pump they make. I had Stewart pumps in my own cars before I became an authorized Stewart dealer.

For the M42/M44 I sell metal impeller GEBA pumps. I have one in my own ti and I have sold many over the years and never had one issue or complaint.

[austinindian]

So glad you started this thread. After going to the mechanic this week, I was having the same dilemma as I need to order a new water pump. The shop I visited recommended against metal impellers. Their reasoning is that BMW tried it, but went back to the composite plastic. I'm confused.

I did call another indie shop and they said go metal. Hah ha.

[stock]

Got a Graf with cast metal impeller. Kinda worried about putting it in rather than the oem composite. Got it from bavauto and figured they sell quality stuff. Any opinions on this particular Graf?

[BimmerBum]

Originally Posted by stock

Got a Graf with cast metal impeller. Kinda worried about putting it in rather than the oem composite. Got it from bavauto and figured they sell quality stuff. Any opinions on this particular Graf?

I sell loads of the Graf metal impeller pump and use them in my own cars... never an issue. I would stay away from composite on water pumps and that includes the pulley.

[zoner]

I also ran a Graf w/ Metal Impeller on my M42 and never had an issue. Put a light coat of silicone grease on the o-ring before you install and you should be GTG.

[spidertri]

Composite (3rd revision) isn't the same as plastic (1st revision). Search my threads if you want a comparison.

[pdxmotorhead]

THe radiator and coolant pipes are "composite" too.
So is the identical crappy parts on my E46.. They never learn.

Dave..

[spidertri]

I always thought all the coolant pipes and radiator tanks were plastic.

[2Ti]

My Saleri pump (with the "composite" impeller) came in today. I got a Saleri because the impeller port size appears to be larger than the pumps with the metal impellers. As for the impeller material, it is definitely not plastic because it has a bell-like ring to it when you tap on it with a pen. I'd swear it was metal if I didn't know better. In any case, I'll install it when it's warms up enough in the garage.