On many Volkswagen and Audi petrol engines, the water pump and thermostat sit in a plastic housing that can crack or leak with age and heat. On diesels, the water pump is driven by the timing belt and is replaced with it.
Signs your water pump is failing
- A low coolant warning, or topping up coolant often
- Pink or purple crusty residue around the engine or under the car
- A sweet smell after driving
- The temperature gauge rising, or the engine overheating
- Coolant drips under the front of the car
Engines we see it on
The 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (EA888) in the Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Tiguan, Passat, Skoda Octavia and Audi A3, A4 and Q5 are the most common. On 2.0 TDI engines, including the Amarok, Golf and Tiguan diesels, we replace the water pump as part of the timing belt service.
How we fix it
We pressure test the cooling system to find the exact leak, then replace the water pump, thermostat housing or hoses. We refill with coolant that meets VW's specification and bleed the system, so there are no air pockets.
Don't ignore a coolant leak
Running low on coolant can overheat the engine and damage the head gasket, which costs far more than a water pump. If your low coolant light is on, book a check or call (03) 8795 7699.