- Engine / equipment
- BMW petrol engines with an electric water pump: N52, N53, N54, N55, N20 and others from 2004–2016
- Period mentioned
- 2004–2016
- Symptoms
- Temperature warning and limited power with no prior warning (water pump); burning oil smell or smoke from leaks onto the exhaust or belt; rough idle and VANOS codes (2A82, 2A87).
- Possible cause described
- The water pump is electric and its electronics fail, often without warning, between 95,000 and 160,000 km. The valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets harden and leak; the latter can drip onto the belt. The VANOS solenoids get dirty and fail.
- Check for the garage
- Check the water pump and thermostat history, look for leaks at the valve cover and oil filter housing, and read VANOS codes.
- Cost cited in the source
- Water pump: approx. €550–1,100 fitted; oil filter housing gasket: €275–550; valve cover: €370–740 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Mileage cited in the database: 95,000–160,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.