Water pump on ramps?

2008E92335XI · 10-08-2020, 08:16 PM

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

fredcase · 10-08-2020, 08:55 PM

I think you need to drop the subframe. You can’t drop it on ramps.

If you can access it without dropping the subframe, your good.

dilloncorrallo · 10-08-2020, 08:59 PM

yeah no need to remove the subframe but radiator fan removal is necessary also need to loosen front sway bar.

to answer the original question , imo, as long as u can get the rear of the vehicle up to a right height were the vehicle is level it should be fine.

Buug959 · 10-08-2020, 09:10 PM

Your front end is already in the air so it should be very easy to get a jack under the centre jack point to lift the car off the ramps and set it down onto jack stands. Depending on your jack you may have to use a block for a little extra height to clear the ramps but you don't have to have the car running.

IllSic_Design · 10-08-2020, 10:45 PM

It would be no problem on a RWD car but on the xi it might be more difficult. There is less room with the subframe being larger on the Xi's so might not have all the room you need

1Bad335turbopsi · 10-09-2020, 07:54 AM

I have replaced several water pump's and t-stat's just by jacking the car up high enough and putting it on jack stands it took me maybe two hour's max with the bleed process also....

Antetokounmpo · 10-09-2020, 08:26 AM

Xi cars are a lot more work to replace the WP on. You don't need to drop the subframe but it makes the job way easier once it's dropped.

bmwbob89 · 10-09-2020, 02:35 PM

no need to drop the subframe but you do need to remove the right wheel and fender liner to access the hose clamps.

2008E92335XI · 10-09-2020, 08:48 PM

Thanks all

Do you have any suggestions on how to get the car off the ramps and on to jack stands. The car is currently up 12 inches off the ground. Thanks

Monster900 · 10-09-2020, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2008E92335XI

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

I did it on the ramps without any issues. No need to lift the rear either for this job. I only get underneath of the car when it seats on its wheels as I don't trust stands.

2008E92335XI · 10-10-2020, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monster900

I did it on the ramps without any issues. No need to lift the rear either for this job. I only get underneath of the car when it seats on its wheels as I don't trust stands.

Thanks for the input monster!

Do you mind sharing what steps you used to complete the job?

mweisdorfer · 10-10-2020, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2008E92335XI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monster900

I did it on the ramps without any issues. No need to lift the rear either for this job. I only get underneath of the car when it seats on its wheels as I don't trust stands.

Thanks for the input monster!

Do you mind sharing what steps you used to complete the job?

The only thing I'd do differently would be to take the FMIC out & the radiator fan out, which gives you a lot more room to work.

e90yyc · 10-10-2020, 03:09 PM

If you want to use jack stands (which will give you more room to manoeuvre near the wheel well), just put a floor jack underneath the center jacking point, lift, remove ramps, put in jack stands. Easy.

nsjames · 10-10-2020, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

If you want to use jack stands (which will give you more room to manoeuvre near the wheel well), just put a floor jack underneath the center jacking point, lift, remove ramps, put in jack stands. Easy.

this.

as it's already high in the air you're probably going to need some blocking between the car and the jack.

hassmaschine · 10-10-2020, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredcase

I think you need to drop the subframe. You can’t drop it on ramps.

If you can access it without dropping the subframe, your good.

What? Man, I hope people take some of the advice given online with a huge grain of salt.

I've done two on ramps FWIW. One RWD and one XI. You don't need to drop the subframe...

10-08-2020, 08:16 PM	#1
2008E92335XI Private First Class 20 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335xi Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Water pump on ramps? 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 Last edited by 2008E92335XI; 10-08-2020 at 08:22 PM..
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10-08-2020, 08:55 PM	#2
fredcase Captain 261 Rep 776 Posts Drives: Bmw=trash Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Noyb iTrader: (1)	I think you need to drop the subframe. You can’t drop it on ramps. If you can access it without dropping the subframe, your good.
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10-08-2020, 08:59 PM	#3
dilloncorrallo New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: e90 n54 MT Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	yeah no need to remove the subframe but radiator fan removal is necessary also need to loosen front sway bar. to answer the original question , imo, as long as u can get the rear of the vehicle up to a right height were the vehicle is level it should be fine.
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10-08-2020, 09:10 PM	#4
Buug959 Captain 17933 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 335xi E90, GMC Sierra, VW Golf Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Nova Scotia iTrader: (0)	Your front end is already in the air so it should be very easy to get a jack under the centre jack point to lift the car off the ramps and set it down onto jack stands. Depending on your jack you may have to use a block for a little extra height to clear the ramps but you don't have to have the car running. __________________ Wha' da ya mean? No brakes never stopped anyone before!
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10-08-2020, 10:45 PM	#5
IllSic_Design Colonel 2124 Rep 2,758 Posts Drives: 09 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	It would be no problem on a RWD car but on the xi it might be more difficult. There is less room with the subframe being larger on the Xi's so might not have all the room you need
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10-09-2020, 07:54 AM	#6
1Bad335turbopsi Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 288 Posts Drives: e90,e92,e46 zhp,68 442 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: At your mom's house. iTrader: (0)	I have replaced several water pump's and t-stat's just by jacking the car up high enough and putting it on jack stands it took me maybe two hour's max with the bleed process also.... __________________ The usual mods....
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10-09-2020, 08:26 AM	#7
Antetokounmpo Brigadier General 1552 Rep 3,475 Posts Drives: E90 6MT FBO; '18 F150 Platinum Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: WI iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 Ford F-150 Pla ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	Xi cars are a lot more work to replace the WP on. You don't need to drop the subframe but it makes the job way easier once it's dropped. __________________ 2008 335xi 6MT \| VRSF Catless DP \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| VRSF CP \| TIAL BOV \| DCI \| MHD 2+ BC Racing BR \| Stoptech 600 \| Firehawk Indy 500 255 Square \| Atric Altimax 225 Sq. 2018 F-150 Platinum 701A \| FX4 \| 3.5 EcoBeast
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10-09-2020, 02:35 PM	#8
bmwbob89 First Lieutenant 150 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 07 328XI 04 325XI 740 88 M5 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	no need to drop the subframe but you do need to remove the right wheel and fender liner to access the hose clamps.
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10-09-2020, 08:48 PM	#9
2008E92335XI Private First Class 20 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335xi Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Thanks all Do you have any suggestions on how to get the car off the ramps and on to jack stands. The car is currently up 12 inches off the ground. Thanks
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10-10-2020, 03:09 PM	#13
e90yyc Art Collector 2427 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	If you want to use jack stands (which will give you more room to manoeuvre near the wheel well), just put a floor jack underneath the center jacking point, lift, remove ramps, put in jack stands. Easy. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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