[2008E92335XI]

Posted this in the general forum but thought I’d try my luck here as well.

Have any of you guys replaced the water pump and t-stat with the car on ramps? I know most people replace them with the car on jack stands but just wondering how difficult it would be with just ramps.

The reason I ask is I already have the coolant and oil drained as I’m doing the ohfg, the radiator out for the belt replacement, and the intake manifold off to do a walnut blast. Don’t really wanna put everything back together just to drive the car off the ramp and go onto jacks. Thanks

Car is an 08 e92 335xi

[iqraceworks]

I don't see any reason why you can't do the job with the car on ramps....

[Emilime75]

What's keeping you from jacking the car up and putting it on stands as is? That's how I usually do it because my jacks are to tall and short to reach with the car on the ground - drive car up on ramps, jack it up, slide stands into place...if not in the way I'll leave the ramps in place as just in case.

[cshiznitzj]

Yes,. I did my 335xi with front on ramps, and pulled fan.

[supercati]

You will do it without droping the subframe on the 335xi? Is there enough room?

[2008E92335XI]

Originally Posted by cshiznitzj

Yes,. I did my 335xi with front on ramps, and pulled fan.

Thanks all!

Chiznitzj, do you mind sharing what steps you used to do it on the Ramps? Thanks!

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by 2008E92335XI

Posted this in the general forum but thought I’d try my luck here as well.

Have any of you guys replaced the water pump and t-stat with the car on ramps? I know most people replace them with the car on jack stands but just wondering how difficult it would be with just ramps.

The reason I ask is I already have the coolant and oil drained as I’m doing the ohfg, the radiator out for the belt replacement, and the intake manifold off to do a walnut blast. Don’t really wanna put everything back together just to drive the car off the ramp and go onto jacks. Thanks

Car is an 08 e92 335xi

Being lower to the ground, it will be a little harder, but it's still doable

[cshiznitzj]

Pull plastic under tray, pull fan. That's all needed to pull thermostat then water pump. You can hang the subframe to make more room but I didn't find that necessary. Typically tools socket, extension and swivel.

[muncie21]

Agree, no need to dick around with the subframe to change the water pump. It’s doable on ramps but the extra height from the jack stands will make things easier

[2008E92335XI]

Thanks all!

I wasn’t too worried about ground clearance as I feel like I have plenty of room under the car with the ramps

I had just read some diy’s that recommended removing the passenger wheel and fender liner. Is it possible to access all the bolts and hoses without removing the wheel?

[Phil G]

I replaced my water pump on ramps about 5 years ago. Didn't replace the thermostat but had to remove it to replace all hoses connecting to it, so that's possible on ramps too. I was able to remove all bolts and hoses without removing the wheel and liner. You just will have to operate blind and go on feel when working on the thermostat.....it's in a pretty tight space. Watching how-to videos on YouTube helped me a ton!

[2008E92335XI]

Thanks! I have watched the YouTube videos and definitely seems like a pain but do-able

I guess the other question I have for you guys is whether I should replace the wp and thermostat even though they are working ok for now. They were last replaced 45k miles ago, or about 7 years. I’ve read mixed opinions on whether to replace them as preventative maintenance or wait until they fail.

Would appreciate any advice and opinions!

[tcphoto]

Yes, replace them at the same time. Odds are thermostat will fail soon and you’d have to go back in. Besides, the part isn’t that expensive but ones time can be.

[2008E92335XI]

Thanks tc! Actually both are working now. I figured since I had the rad fan out for the belt change, I might tackle the wp and thermostat

What are your thoughts about replacing them (given their age) even though they are currently working. Car is not the dd but just didn’t want to get stranded

[relative4]

I'll let others argue about whether to replace proactively, but I can tell you that the effort of removing the fan is not a driving factor in scheduling this job. It's 3 minutes for a manual, <10 min for an auto. Trivial in the context of the WP job.

[2008E92335XI]

Thanks relative! Yeah, it was fairly simple to remove the fan. I wasn’t sure if there was any reason to replace a functioning part, especially it is a pita job haha

I’m inclined to just leave it for now and tackle it when it goes out. But just curious if you guys have any thoughts

[cshiznitzj]

Originally Posted by 2008E92335XI

Thanks relative! Yeah, it was fairly simple to remove the fan. I wasn’t sure if there was any reason to replace a functioning part, especially it is a pita job haha

I’m inclined to just leave it for now and tackle it when it goes out. But just curious if you guys have any thoughts

your call. IMO, the difficulty of changing of the water pump for the xi is over exaggerated. It really is not very difficult. I think dealing with the coolant mess is the worst part and ID rather change the water pump than the VCG.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by supercati

You will do it without droping the subframe on the 335xi? Is there enough room?

Have done it on ramps on both RwD and xdrive which is little bit more time consuming because of the metal plate under the engine.

[2008E92335XI]

Thanks for the input guys!