Head gasket done, but still! There's a leak :o

[Priggy]

Changed my head gasket last weekend with the typical cuts and bruises, many stops for tea and the occasional drive to halfords! (Needed the "ribe" tool to remove head bolts! 27 pound thanks audi )

But it turns out I still have a god damn leak!! Im guessing this must be the water pump, either boiling? The water and therefor it's disappearing on me, or generally have a leak coming out of it. But I've never changed a water pump on an a3 and was wondering if anyone could give a few pointers to minimise the time it will take. It's suppose to snow soon so will have to work fast haha. I've got a replacement pump which oonly cost me 29 pound surprisingly.

Is it a quick job or will I have to spend alot of time fiddling with the cambelt etc.

ive got a audi a3 1.6 SE

any help is appreciated cheers!

 

[Danno57]

I would purchase some UV coolant leak detection dye along with a UV torch before throwing any more money at parts, then hopefully you can pinpoint the leaks location when the engines up to temperature. As for the water pump you might as well do the cambelt, tensioner etc at the same time. It's quite a big job.

 

[phil miller]

did you have the head skimmed? did the old gasket have signs of where it had blown?

 

[A3_130]

If you need any more of those multi-spline 'ribe' bits then this set on Amazon is cheap, has the sizes you'll need and is good quality steel. I've used my set a lot on driveshaft bolts, head bolts, door catches etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0001K9P0A/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1364145029&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

 

[Broken Byzan]

The 1.6 is common to develop cracks, did you get it pressure tested and skimmed?