Water Pump Question

Todds Coupe

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Hey Guys, My 1971 2800 CS is making a bearing noise in the front top of the engine. I strongly suspect is it the water pump. I purchased an OEM Graf water pump from Maximillian. Does anyone have experience with these pumps vs. a "BMW" water pump. I understand that Graf makes a lot of the pumps for BMW, so I am reasonably confident in the pump. But my mechanic says that he wants to use one from BMW. I have used quality OEM parts before with no issue. Also, the Graf was about $90 and the "BMW pump" was over $350. So? Any input would be appreciated.
 
are you sure its not the fan clutch making the noise? i guess it depends on what kind of noise its making.

okay different question, since this is your first post - first, welcome to e9coupe. the question is, since i also have a 71 2800cs, what is the VIN / color of your car? we have the coupe ancestry project where we are trying to identify living coupes.

thanks
scott
 
BTW - FCP Euro sells Graf waterpumps and it says they are made in Italy. <from the FCP Euro website> "The firm has a very mixed customer base: from the independent aftermarket (I.A.M.), to the original equipment suppliers (OES), to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM)."

here is what the FCP Euro website also states (relatively logical stuff)
Engine Water Pump Failure Symptoms
  • Coolant leak through weep hole
  • Play at water pump pulley shaft indicating a bad bearing
  • Squeaking noise coming from pump at idle
  • Overheating conditions
  • Low coolant light on instrument cluster indicating a cooling system leak
 
BMW M30 OEM water pump was made by INA Schaeffler Made in Germany (INA 538016710).
HEPU Made in Germany is also OEM quality (HEPU P455)
 
are you sure its not the fan clutch making the noise? i guess it depends on what kind of noise its making.

okay different question, since this is your first post - first, welcome to e9coupe. the question is, since i also have a 71 2800cs, what is the VIN / color of your car? we have the coupe ancestry project where we are trying to identify living coupes.

thanks
scott
It sounds more like a bearing. The pump is a Italian made Graf. I'll post the vin when I get back home. The coupe is Polaris. VIN#2270553
 
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I assume you bought 11519070756 Graf which has a metal impeller.
It also has the bolt on fan. It is available at other sources such as RMEuropean.
I am ok using Graf products. I am sure that BMW doesn't make the water pump.
 
But my mechanic says that he wants to use one from BMW.
I suspect that your mechanic wants to source the pump himself so that he can add the parts markup to his profit. In his defense, he may have gotten burned by customers who brought him parts to install and then expected him to "eat" the labor when they failed.

Still, a water pump is simple enough to remove/replace that I would take the chance on an off-brand part if the savings were sufficient. But then, I'm a DIY guy, so my labor is "free".
 
I assume you bought 11519070756 Graf which has a metal impeller.
It also has the bolt on fan. It is available at other sources such as RMEuropean.
I am ok using Graf products. I am sure that BMW doesn't make the water pump.
the other question is whether the BMW pump has a plastic or metal impeller. many of them from BMW have plastic.
 
I actually have a water pump on my 2800CS which fits the 83 633CSi pn 11519070761.
It has been on since 2021. I assume there are several that will work.
 
I assume you bought 11519070756 Graf which has a metal impeller.
It also has the bolt on fan. It is available at other sources such as RMEuropean.
I am ok using Graf products. I am sure that BMW doesn't make the water pump.
Yes, it has a metal impeller but it does not match that part number? The numbers are as follows PA379, Adaptable for OES: 11511253143, 11511263934, 11511706236, 11511705273, 11511707414, 11519070757 are the part numbers.
I suspect that your mechanic wants to source the pump himself so that he can add the parts markup to his profit. In his defense, he may have gotten burned by customers who brought him parts to install and then expected him to "eat" the labor when they failed.

Still, a water pump is simple enough to remove/replace that I would take the chance on an off-brand part if the savings were sufficient. But then, I'm a DIY guy, so my labor is "free".
Yes, that is possibility. However, I do trust this guy and am trying to work our something with him. He says the BMW part was non-refundable because it was a special order part.

What is the current wisdom regarding changing it out, it seems like a bit more work but I, from the looks of it, believe it will be much easier if I remove the radiator. Thoughts anyone?
 
I have used the Graf water pumps on both the coupes and the 2002's Lot's of them They are just fine to use They wear out about the same as the BMW ones so as it has been said, easy to change I wouldn't hesitate to use them Best way to keep a water pump is to change the coolant at least every 4 years

Thanks, Rick
 
Yes, it has a metal impeller but it does not match that part number? The numbers are as follows PA379, Adaptable for OES: 11511253143, 11511263934, 11511706236, 11511705273, 11511707414, 11519070757 are the part numbers.

The last part number in RMEuropean shows GRAF with manufacture pn PA379

EDIT: You can Google GRAF PA379 and also find the same pump.

1750377328338.png

If you click on fitments in the link below it shows the 2800CS

If your mechanic wants to only use "BMW" then you probably don't have an option.
 

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