Help needed with N55 engine overheating

Machetero · 05-04-2022, 11:00 AM

Good morning, we have a 2014 X5 x drive 35i with 130k miles

My wife got the below message today on our X5 after driving about 15 minutes.

Engine temp gauge on dash shows normal temp (as seen in pic) and coolant tank is full.

Could this be bad coolant temp sensor? Or is it more likely a faulty water pump/thermostat?

Any suggestions on how to diagnose problem?

Thank you.

RED_Y_ · 05-04-2022, 12:12 PM

Temperature gauge on the dash is for the engine oil, not for the coolant temperature. Might be a bad sensor, thermostat stuck closed or water pump failed. You are at 130K miles so water pump/thermostat would be first thing to check. Did you ever do the coolant flush?

Machetero · 05-04-2022, 12:51 PM

Thanks for your response.

I changed the coolant tank in August of last year at 116k miles due to a small crack in the tank, so I flushed the coolant at that time.

Would doing the electronic coolant flush procedure be a good way to test the water pump?

I also have Bimmerlink/BimmerCode - are there any good ways to diagnose the problem using those apps?

MH20jy · 05-04-2022, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machetero

Thanks for your response.

I changed the coolant tank in August of last year at 116k miles due to a small crack in the tank, so I flushed the coolant at that time.

Would doing the electronic coolant flush procedure be a good way to test the water pump?

I also have Bimmerlink/BimmerCode - are there any good ways to diagnose the problem using those apps?

Check the engine code first.

scotty339 · 05-04-2022, 08:50 PM

Pull the code and see what it says. Thats step #1.

But at 138k miles I'd say your water pump and thermostat are due regardless.

Machetero · 05-05-2022, 06:09 AM

When I got home from work yesterday I checked the coolant level and it was actually below the minimum level, so I added some distilled water (maybe about 1/4 to 1/2 cup). After that I drove the vehicle for about 20-25 minutes with no dash warnings coming on.

Hooked up Bimmerlink and got code 20A701 - coolant pump speed out of tolerance. However it was a stored code and Bimmerlink said it was not currently throwing the code.

Took the vehicle out again last night for about another 1/2 hour and everything ran fine. While driving I used Bimmerlink to monitor coolant temp, engine oil and water pump speed and everything was fine.

Is it possible that the low coolant level could have triggered the engine overheating warning and the water pump code? What's strange is that in the past when the coolant level was low I got a dash notification saying to add coolant, which I didn't get this time.

Or is it just the beginning of a water pump failure, turning off intermittently?

Tomcat_F15_STL · 05-05-2022, 07:59 AM

You need a new pump. Replace it before you have to be towed.

Machetero · 05-05-2022, 08:44 AM

Copy. Thanks. Go with genuine BMW or is there a better after market one available?

RED_Y_ · 05-05-2022, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machetero

Copy. Thanks. Go with genuine BMW or is there a better after market one available?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/X5...b=11&d=3584&v=

I would go with Pierburg, same pump just without BMW logo. You will save $250

Machetero · 05-05-2022, 10:59 AM

Fantastic. Just ordered FCP euro kit with water pump and thermostat. Appreciate the help.

Machetero · 05-23-2022, 07:37 AM

All fixed. Replaced water pump and thermostat from FCP Euro. X5 running great again. Thanks for all the help.

dr_greenthumb · 05-23-2022, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machetero

All fixed. Replaced water pump and thermostat from FCP Euro. X5 running great again. Thanks for all the help.

How hard was replacing the pump, did you DIY?

Machetero · 05-23-2022, 12:53 PM

Yes did it myself following the FCP Euro YouTube video. Thermostat is easy once the fan is removed. Water pump wasn't too bad.. the hardest part was removing the top bolt. It's difficult to get to but I was able to reach it with a ratchet and flex shaft from the passenger side wheel well (I did not need to remove the wheel well cover to access the bolt). Other than that it was pretty straight forward. I would recommend having another person help with the fan removal/install.

I would imagine the dealership would charge at least 2k for parts and labor I did the entire job for $500 or so.

yupetc · 05-23-2022, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machetero

Yes did it myself following the FCP Euro YouTube video. Thermostat is easy once the fan is removed. Water pump wasn't too bad.. the hardest part was removing the top bolt. It's difficult to get to but I was able to reach it with a ratchet and flex shaft from the passenger side wheel well (I did not need to remove the wheel well cover to access the bolt). Other than that it was pretty straight forward. I would recommend having another person help with the fan removal/install.

I would imagine the dealership would charge at least 2k for parts and labor I did the entire job for $500 or so.

You're right, dealership quoted a friend of mine 2400 bucks; he dropped the car at my house last month and I replaced it for him in under 3-hours. Charged him 300 bucks labor plus the parts; he's more than happy to hand that money to me than dealing with the dealership. I also replaced his engine oil and oil filter free charge of labor. I believe most people come to the forums for a good reason; and I'll always advocate that if you've made it this far to see what we talk about in these forums, you might as well start picking up the wrench and learn your way around these cars. In the long run, it will minimize your cost of ownership of these fun and performing BMW's.

dr_greenthumb · 05-23-2022, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machetero

Yes did it myself following the FCP Euro YouTube video. Thermostat is easy once the fan is removed. Water pump wasn't too bad.. the hardest part was removing the top bolt. It's difficult to get to but I was able to reach it with a ratchet and flex shaft from the passenger side wheel well (I did not need to remove the wheel well cover to access the bolt). Other than that it was pretty straight forward. I would recommend having another person help with the fan removal/install.

I would imagine the dealership would charge at least 2k for parts and labor I did the entire job for $500 or so.

05-04-2022, 11:00 AM	#1
Machetero Private 36 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	Help needed with N55 engine overheating Good morning, we have a 2014 X5 x drive 35i with 130k miles My wife got the below message today on our X5 after driving about 15 minutes. Engine temp gauge on dash shows normal temp (as seen in pic) and coolant tank is full. Could this be bad coolant temp sensor? Or is it more likely a faulty water pump/thermostat? Any suggestions on how to diagnose problem? Thank you. Attached Images
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05-04-2022, 12:12 PM	#2
RED_Y_ Colonel 1059 Rep 2,511 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 3.5d Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Temperature gauge on the dash is for the engine oil, not for the coolant temperature. Might be a bad sensor, thermostat stuck closed or water pump failed. You are at 130K miles so water pump/thermostat would be first thing to check. Did you ever do the coolant flush?
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05-04-2022, 12:51 PM	#3
Machetero Private 36 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your response. I changed the coolant tank in August of last year at 116k miles due to a small crack in the tank, so I flushed the coolant at that time. Would doing the electronic coolant flush procedure be a good way to test the water pump? I also have Bimmerlink/BimmerCode - are there any good ways to diagnose the problem using those apps?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2022, 08:50 PM	#5
scotty339 First Lieutenant 147 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 x35i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB iTrader: (0)	Pull the code and see what it says. Thats step #1. But at 138k miles I'd say your water pump and thermostat are due regardless. __________________ 2015 BMW X5 x35i \| M-Sport \| Alpine White
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05-05-2022, 06:09 AM	#6
Machetero Private 36 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	When I got home from work yesterday I checked the coolant level and it was actually below the minimum level, so I added some distilled water (maybe about 1/4 to 1/2 cup). After that I drove the vehicle for about 20-25 minutes with no dash warnings coming on. Hooked up Bimmerlink and got code 20A701 - coolant pump speed out of tolerance. However it was a stored code and Bimmerlink said it was not currently throwing the code. Took the vehicle out again last night for about another 1/2 hour and everything ran fine. While driving I used Bimmerlink to monitor coolant temp, engine oil and water pump speed and everything was fine. Is it possible that the low coolant level could have triggered the engine overheating warning and the water pump code? What's strange is that in the past when the coolant level was low I got a dash notification saying to add coolant, which I didn't get this time. Or is it just the beginning of a water pump failure, turning off intermittently?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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Help needed with N55 engine overheating

05-05-2022, 07:59 AM	#7
Tomcat_F15_STL First Lieutenant 150 Rep 349 Posts Drives: BMW F15 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	You need a new pump. Replace it before you have to be towed.
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05-05-2022, 08:44 AM	#8
Machetero Private 36 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	Copy. Thanks. Go with genuine BMW or is there a better after market one available?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-05-2022, 10:59 AM	#10
Machetero Private 36 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	Fantastic. Just ordered FCP euro kit with water pump and thermostat. Appreciate the help.
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05-23-2022, 07:37 AM	#11
Machetero Private 36 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	All fixed. Replaced water pump and thermostat from FCP Euro. X5 running great again. Thanks for all the help.
	Appreciate 2 jero121394.50 Florida-X3264.50 Quote

05-23-2022, 12:53 PM	#13
Machetero Private 36 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Tampa, Florida iTrader: (0)	Yes did it myself following the FCP Euro YouTube video. Thermostat is easy once the fan is removed. Water pump wasn't too bad.. the hardest part was removing the top bolt. It's difficult to get to but I was able to reach it with a ratchet and flex shaft from the passenger side wheel well (I did not need to remove the wheel well cover to access the bolt). Other than that it was pretty straight forward. I would recommend having another person help with the fan removal/install. I would imagine the dealership would charge at least 2k for parts and labor I did the entire job for $500 or so.
	Appreciate 1 HJ478.00 Quote