Engine Overheating - Water Pump?

[barker196]

Hi, i have B6 Audi A4 1.8T (2003).
Recently the coolant temperature gauge started rising above where it normally sits on 90 and reaches 130 (max). It does this every time i drive in 3rd gear upwards. I've searched the other articles on this forum and only found one person with the exact same symptoms but can not find what the cause of his problem was. Any help appreciated.

I have changed the dreaded temperature sensor at the back of the engine and this has made no difference. The next step is the water pump then i believe.

Has anyone had the same problem and what rectified your fault please? I'm about to book my car into a garage to have the water pump replaced next which is going to cost a small fortune!! Help!

Thanks

Phil

 

[A4 TURBO UK]

Hi Phil

I would get it scanned, for any fault codes just incase its an electrical fault.But it sounds like your pump has gone, hence at higher speeds the water isnt getting circulated...maybe the impellor has sheared (common).
Whats ur milage?
If replacing the pump i would suggest getting a non oem pump with a brass impellor, rather than the plastic Audi ones, should last longer.

Edit>>Are you loosing any coolant?Or does it stay at the same level?

Hope u get it sorted
Cheers J

 

[ScottyP45]

get it scanned on vagcom first to see what faults the ecu has recorded first instead of changing stuff blindly.

If the water pump was bad, it should make a noise and so on unless the impeller has crumbled but you should have the cooling system checked & pressure tested before doing anything, and use vagcom if you can to log the temps as you drive to see if the gauge is lying or not. The rosstech site will show you how to monitor temperature etc.

Just a thought - does the gauge immediately return when you drive slowly or stop or does it stay high after that? could be an electrical fault in the gauge circuit.

Pressure testing will show leaks and whether or not the pump is actually pumping. Dead pump = no circulation and localised heating. The radiator should go cold (ish - warm etc) at the top as the water isnt circulating and the engine would be roasting.

 

[jase0851]

i would say water pump myself, if its ok at idle then heats up when driven thats a sign the impelor on the water pump is u/s.

 

[steve_malton]

I had exactly the same problem and it was the water pump at fault. It is expensive to replace - cost me £230, because the front of the car has to come off including the Cam Belt.

What mileage does the car have? If the cambelt has already been replaced check to see if the water pump was replaced at the same time - you may be able to claim on warranty if it was.

Audi do not change the item at the same time they change the Cam Belt normally, but any independant specialist would recommend it to be done as no more labour is envolved and the part is c. £30 so it makes sense to have it, for the peace of mind for the next 60,000 or whatever it is for your car.

 

[ickleric]

yeah sounds like water pump, had mine done couple of months ago. As others said, if the cambelt hasn't been done get that done at the same time. i paid arond £350 for water pump and cam belt change at an independant garage. apparently the original water pumps were poor design, and the replacement ones are much better.

 

[golf]

It is definitely your water pump, they are notoriously **** on the 1.8T's.

Get the parts yourself and that way you only pay for the labour. It's not a bad job to do on the A4 if you're fairly handy with a spanner. But if you screw it up you will do a lot of damage to your engine, so it's probably best to get someone to do it for you. I was only charged £110 for labour.

 

[technics100]

Yes, its the water pump, my 1.8T bora did the same thing at 53k, I got the pump and timing belt changed at my local mechanics for £120 (on the bora) Also when ordering a new water pump, get one with a metal impeller, it will stop it happening again as the plastic ones ring themselves loose.

 

[steve_malton]

The new plastic vained water pumps have been improved and made thicker in the place that fails all the time,the garage that fitted mine showed me the difference.

 

[barker196]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I can reveal that IT WAS the water pump. I replaced the thermostat switch first and that made no difference. Took it to Red Oak Garage in Maidstone and they replaced the pump which cured the fault. Cost £140 parts and £235 labour. They also replaced the cab belt kit at the same time so at least thats done!

They showed me the old water pump with the broken impellor, oops. Something to note for anyone else with this problem. When the car ran hot water did still seem to be pumping round as the pipe in the top of the water tank was still spilling water out. This was caused by expansion or something rather than the pump actually pumping. Also in response to one of the questions, the engine would cool down if coasting in neutral or if it sat still for a while. My milage if 56k.

Thanks again all...

STOP press: Car back from the garage 1 day and a coil pack went. Thats my 2nd in 2 years. Replaced that yesterday and seemed fine. Today got in car and orange engine/alternator light is on! Car running fine though! Aggghhh what next?

 

[ScottyP45]

thats ****** mate, hope thats the last fault for a while! Most audi owners never get a problem then some get a spate of them in a short time.

Maybe your luck will improve now