E85 water pump any cheats?

[Peter1450]

Sons E85 3.0 just went through its MOT with just a couple of advisories, whilst on the ramp we noticed a slight weep on the thermostat housing.
Purchased a new one and thought it would be good practice to renew the water pump while I’m there, what a bad mistake that was!
Wife’s Z3 3.0 very straight forward to replace start the Z4 only to realise the front radiator support will need to be removed to get the pump out.
Who designed this nonsense? Quick look on YouTube and it seems the front of the car needs to be removed for what should be a quick simple job, or bumper , headlights etc , it will have to stay where it is until it fails !

 

[t-tony]

You can remove the w/pump by lifting the engine off its mounts without taking the front to pieces. But, you're right it's a stupid situation. The seal on my Z4 started to leak about 4 years ago and to look at it you would expect the pump would come out.

Tony.

 

[Peter1450]

Thanks Tony, another search online shows exactly what you describe, they only remove the right hand engine mount and Jack with a wooden block on the alloy sump ( LHD car) , is this how you would proceed Tony? Jacking on the sump I would have my heart in my mouth lol, remember a Kawasaki sump shattering on me whilst trying to remove a stubborn sump plug years ago!

 

[t-tony]

If you place a thick piece of wood on the jack you will be ok.(30mm or so). But make sure it is wider than the sump so it lifts on the edges, not in the middle.

Tony.