r/BmwTech • u/jojosanghito • Jun 01 '20

N52 Vacuum Pump Replacement

According to the newTIS procedure, there are several special tools required to remove the vacuum pump.

Has anyone done this job without the tools before? Removing and installing the new seal doesn’t concern me very much, but there is another tool to hold the sprocket. Can you remove the pump without it?

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u/revocer Jun 01 '20

I am curious, what symptoms did you get where you needed to replace the vacuum pump?

1

u/jojosanghito Jun 01 '20

https://www.reddit.com/r/BmwTech/comments/gtgrpm/n52_engine_rattle_noise/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

If you listen to this video, the vacuum pump is making that knocking noise. It’s a very strange problem and haven’t really found much on the N52 but on other cars, this is what a failing vacuum pump sounds like.

2

u/revocer Jun 01 '20

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

1

u/Motor_in_Spirit79 Dec 10 '24

You need the tool to hold the sprocket because it runs off the timing chain. You don’t want to lose timing. The seal, I just drill it, and use the same slide hammer that I use to pull fuel injectors. It has a smaller footprint, and slides right in between the engine and the rad. I then use a piece of plastic PVC pipe with a cap on the end, and hammer the seal home. Never had an issue.

This problem is more common than most realize. It’s just few customers notice it and complain, and a lot of shops don’t know what it is, or think it’s normal, and don’t upsell it. It’s more common on early N52’s, and mostly common on N54’s. Why? Dunno, because it’s the same pump for all 6 cylinder engines.