2012 TDI 170 water pump leak

spencer361 · Nov 12, 2016

Hi guys,

Got a bit of leak on my car in the pic below. She is going through quite a bit of coolant so I jacked it up, took the OS/F wheel off and arch liners. Also the cam belt cover off on the top section of the belt. Found the cam belt and casing soaking. Started her up and saw tiny bits of coolant flicking off the belt. I'm guessing its coming from the water pump seal. has anyone had anything similar? I'm trying to pinpoint it

Problem is I'm driving from Mallorca, via the french alps and up to Leeds, around 1500 miles in total. Don't trust the garages here so I want to get it back

Thanks in advance

Retroman · Nov 13, 2016

These pumps have a rubber o-ring in a groove which presses against their “fitting hole” in the engine. These o-rings last for years and would not usually fail on a car of your age. I suspect that the water is leaking through the central shaft of the pump as it is in the process of wearing out/failing. As it is run by the timing (cam) belt, the timing belt has to be removed to fit a new pump so one may as well fit a new belt at the same time.

I do not know your mileage. The general view nowadays is to change the belt and water pump together. You have a similar car to me and my handbook states: - “toothed belt to be changed every 133,000 miles (all TDI models)”. I have checked with Audi as I thought this seemed rather high mileage and they told me they work on the basis of “whichever comes first of 5-years and the handbook mileage recommendation”.

My point is, it sounds to me that your pump should be changed and it may be time to change it and the timing belt at the same time. A bit of a pain I appreciate, but failure could be catastrophic with pump shaft failure, terminal coolant loss/overheating and the timing belt being forced off causing the pistons and valves to smash together.

spencer361 · Nov 13, 2016

Retroman said:
These pumps have a rubber o-ring in a groove which presses against their “fitting hole” in the engine. These o-rings last for years and would not usually fail on a car of your age. I suspect that the water is leaking through the central shaft of the pump as it is in the process of wearing out/failing. As it is run by the timing (cam) belt, the timing belt has to be removed to fit a new pump so one may as well fit a new belt at the same time.

I do not know your mileage. The general view nowadays is to change the belt and water pump together. You have a similar car to me and my handbook states: - “toothed belt to be changed every 133,000 miles (all TDI models)”. I have checked with Audi as I thought this seemed rather high mileage and they told me they work on the basis of “whichever comes first of 5-years and the handbook mileage recommendation”.

My point is, it sounds to me that your pump should be changed and it may be time to change it and the timing belt at the same time. A bit of a pain I appreciate, but failure could be catastrophic with pump shaft failure, terminal coolant loss/overheating and the timing belt being forced off causing the pistons and valves to smash together.

Thanks Retroman,

Appreciate the response. The car has only just gone over 45,000 miles which is why its confusing me. My last A3, a BKD had 150,000 on the clock and never had a problem. I know if I take it to Audi here in Mallorca, they will sting me as everyone likes to sting tourists! I Don't really want to run the risk of blowing her up. It happened to me on the BKD when the turbo snapped in half and went through the engine.

downtothebone · Nov 14, 2016

Not sure if this is of any interest as its in the US and related to the TSI petrol engine ...
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4832770-Heads-Up-Failing-TSI-Water-Pumps

spencer361 · Nov 14, 2016

Booked in tomorrow morning at the Audi dealership here in Palma. 800 euros including vat for new water pump, cam belt, new bolts etc and labour. Thought I would just get it done. Last thing I want is to be stranded on the side of a road in the middle of nowhere even though I do have european breakdown cover.

Cheers for the responses guys

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2012 TDI 170 water pump leak

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