Vacuum Pump Oil Leak

[sofakingtyte]

So as i was changing out the CTS (P2181 along with t-stat), i saw quite a lot of oil build-up on my transmission case and down the back of the engine. This leak actually got slightly worse while the front of the car was raised on jack-stands. After some research I believe i have narrowed it down to the vacuum pump. Using thing thread as a reference:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post7971687

So here is my question:

How can i determine if it is the pump leaking or if it is just the o-ring?

I have tried getting my cell phone in there and recording a video to see if i can spot the leak, but i could not get a good enough angle to find a leak.

The o-ring itself is about $13 shipped from ECS, but an entire pump assembly is about $300.

Based on the pictures, the back of the pump comes off, is it possible to take it apart and "re-seal" it using a liquid gasket?



so far i have already replaced the CTS, T-stat, pcv, belt tensioner, serpentine belt, and valve cover gasket. The cam follower and oil change is also in the near future. I have only owned the car for about 3 weeks, so i would prefer not to buy a $300 pump.

Thank you everyone in advance!!

[Charles.waite]

Don't use liquid gasket, it just won't work properly.

I would get a new o-ring, and replace that first. The vacuum pump is super easy to remove. Just three bolts and it pulls out.

[GDC]

Don't use liquid gasket, it just won't work properly.

I would get a new o-ring, and replace that first. The vacuum pump is super easy to remove. Just three bolts and it pulls out.

i just recently remove mine and replaced the entire pump as i read that the o ring rarely fixes the problem.. I agree it is easy to remove however only if you have the right tools i.e a really thin rachet wrench with torx bit that will fit between the bolt head and the firewall.

[kaptacular]

i just recently remove mine and replaced the entire pump as i read that the o ring rarely fixes the problem.. I agree it is easy to remove however only if you have the right tools i.e a really thin rachet wrench with torx bit that will fit between the bolt head and the firewall.

I agree. I just had to replace my vacuum pump as well, luckily it was under my warranty. I've read nightmares about replacing just the O-ring, and that its much better to just have the whole pump replaced. Must as well do it right the first time to avoid further frustration. Gotta love it!

[baldy]

I had the same issue before. Dealer replaced the O-ring twice as per Audi and it still leaked. Third go, they replaced the pump with the new design/revised part. The oil was going down the fiewall and soaked the heat-shield flame retardent material for months (the one right above your downpipe). Shortly after the final replacement, I had a "thermal incident" while coming home one night. Lets just say the fire extinguisher in the trunk / being right by the fire station when it happened saved the car, but I ended up with all new heatshields (revised part as well), carpet, and a few other bits.

I would check what the part number is and see if you have the latest revision. If not, replace the whole thing.

[Charles.waite]

i just recently remove mine and replaced the entire pump as i read that the o ring rarely fixes the problem.. I agree it is easy to remove however only if you have the right tools i.e a really thin rachet wrench with torx bit that will fit between the bolt head and the firewall.

This may be true, but the o-ring is a $15 part. The vacuum pump is a $300 part. Replacing the o-ring and the pump are basically the same procedure. Once you have the proper low-clearance ratchet its a VERY simple procedure. Hence why I am advocating replacing the o-ring first and THEN replace the expensive part if that doesn't work.

Its not rocket science. I prefer exploring cheaper avenues before splashing out on expensive assemblies...

And also be SURE to clean up the oil residue so you don't have a "thermal incident" like Baldy.

[mcpcartier]

$237 at GAP....went up, I paid $201 last year.

http://genuineaudiparts.com/parts/in...&siteid=214407


btw, 10 months without oil leaking on the garage floor...worth every penny.

[pymkata]

I have had the pump leak on the front side for 3 years. I have removed the pump - it did not have the o-ring, it had only the rubberized metal gasket. I have put in an o-ring and it stopped the leak on the mounting side. It kept leaking on the front side where the front flat cap seals the vacuum chamber. The original o-ring gets flat and un-elastic. Bear in mind that the front cap needs to lay on the existing rim since otherwise the vacuum pump won't work. I have added black silicone gasket maker and made sure it laid flat after I fastened the screws. Three weeks now and no leak.
Photo of pump:

Photo of seal before tightening it:

[radam13]

Pymkata, I'm doing this right now. For the cover plate and the gasket maker, did you pair that with the flattened o-ring or did you ditch it and just use gasket maker? i'm been searching the last few days for this. thanks for posting!

I have had the pump leak on the front side for 3 years. I have removed the pump - it did not have the o-ring, it had only the rubberized metal gasket. I have put in an o-ring and it stopped the leak on the mounting side. It kept leaking on the front side where the front flat cap seals the vacuum chamber. The original o-ring gets flat and un-elastic. Bear in mind that the front cap needs to lay on the existing rim since otherwise the vacuum pump won't work. I have added black silicone gasket maker and made sure it laid flat after I fastened the screws. Three weeks now and no leak.
Photo of pump:

Photo of seal before tightening it:

[vvenom800tt]

Just replace the oring,

Just make sure that when you reinstall it, make sure you get some silicone spray or use some engine oil lubricate the new oring before putting the pump back on so that it doesnt catch or snag, which is the biggest cause of leaks when reinstalling a new o ring.

[radam13]

doess anyone know the part number for that large o-ring? i haven't been able to find it

[vvenom800tt]

Look at ecs, i go mine there

or genuineaudiparts

[Okedokey]

That vacuum pump is freakin bitch to remove. I have to get a low profile ratchet as its fuckin tight behind there.

[DanKing]

doess anyone know the part number for that large o-ring? i haven't been able to find it

Pretty sure the only part you will find is for the smaller oring at the front. They do not sell the larger oring that is inside of the pump ...pretty sure I'm right around that

[Charles.waite]

That vacuum pump is freakin bitch to remove. I have to get a low profile ratchet as its fuckin tight behind there.

Yup. Major pita.

[Okedokey]

Finding it hard to find a low profile wrench locally. Any guides on a suitable tool?

[vvenom800tt]

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-850...s=micro+driver

http://www.amazon.com/Titan-11207-Of...s=micro+driver

http://www.amazon.com/Titan-Tools-11...s=micro+driver

http://www.amazon.com/03044A-4-Drive...o+driver&psc=1

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

from my experience it's never the o ring... that's not where the leak actually comes from. You can see how the revised part moves the o ring and fixes the issue with the back plate.

Audi VW 2.0T FSI Vacuum Pump Failure

[cg91]

Yeah definitely just replace the whole pump. Got mine from europaparts for a great price. And also used a sweet little kobalt right-angle ratchet that I bought at lowes. Worked like a charm. Fairly easy to do, took me about 1.75hrs after losing a screw for 45 minutes haha.

[Okedokey]

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-850...s=micro+driver

http://www.amazon.com/Titan-11207-Of...s=micro+driver

http://www.amazon.com/Titan-Tools-11...s=micro+driver

http://www.amazon.com/03044A-4-Drive...o+driver&psc=1

Thanks, got the first one of ebay for much cheaper

[vvenom800tt]

Good stuff

[Theiceman]

Oh god my pump is leaking all over the transmission. Guess I'm looking forward to some back breaking work.

[KingWulfgar]

Oh god my pump is leaking all over the transmission. Guess I'm looking forward to some back breaking work.

They all do it eventually. Check your coolant flange while you're down there. It's a lot easier to change with the vacuum pump out.

[DanKing]

Oh god my pump is leaking all over the transmission. Guess I'm looking forward to some back breaking work.

mine is leaking a bit too. not a lot, doesn't drip on the floor or anything, but i will have to do this also. three bolts, with the right tools, cant be that hard :)

[Theiceman]

Yeah ill have to get lots of bits as I keep dropping them behind the engine. My coolant flange was done at the dealer about 5 years ago so I bet it's due again.

I'm a masochist so I will try and fix it first.

[Okedokey]

With the vacuum pump off and the chain / timing cover off, replace the tensioner and chain and while that is all off the access to the flange is straightforward.

[wding2000]

Noticed slight oil leak at the pump, and oil stains on top of transmission. I understand the difference of new and old pump (gasket relocated to base). Has anyone tried to use hi-temp gasket maker at old pump base? instead of dropping $200 for a new pump.

[hemantpd1]

I had the leakage from the back cover of the vacuum pump, not the o-ring. I try re-sealing if but it failed again. Finally, I changed the vacuum pump with the latest revision and no problem after that.

[wding2000]

I had the leakage from the back cover of the vacuum pump, not the o-ring. I try re-sealing if but it failed again. Finally, I changed the vacuum pump with the latest revision and no problem after that.

I re-read some of posts here. When you say "back plate", you meant the plate held by 5 torx bolts? thus nothing to do with o-ring (old style or new). I only ordered the o-ring (old style) and see how it goes. Otherwise, may order a new pump as well. Thanks

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

I re-read some of posts here. When you say "back plate", you meant the plate held by 5 torx bolts? thus nothing to do with o-ring (old style or new). I only ordered the o-ring (old style) and see how it goes. Otherwise, may order a new pump as well. Thanks

O ring will not solve the problem, replace pump.

[vce1232000]

I got a used pump available. PM if someone needs it. No oil leaks. Engine had 56k miles on it

[Theiceman]

I fixed mine no problem. Been about 8 months now and no leaks.
I used yamabond4 which I had lying around and put on a new oring on the front and on the vacuum port. found at an orings place

Word of caution though. Any extra sealer on the inside will be shaved off by the pump impeller and end up in your oil. That's is not good. When I did mine I could see chunks on the impeller so i picked them out and flushed through the vacuum port before re-installing.
total cost.to.fix was about 12.00

[wding2000]

I fixed mine no problem. Been about 8 months now and no leaks.
I used yamabond4 which I had lying around and put on a new oring on the front and on the vacuum port. found at an orings place

Word of caution though. Any extra sealer on the inside will be shaved off by the pump impeller and end up in your oil. That's is not good. When I did mine I could see chunks on the impeller so i picked them out and flushed through the vacuum port before re-installing.
total cost.to.fix was about 12.00

Interesting. Where did you use yamabond? along the round slot shown in picture 1 in pymkata posting?

[hemantpd1]

I re-read some of posts here. When you say "back plate", you meant the plate held by 5 torx bolts? thus nothing to do with o-ring (old style or new). I only ordered the o-ring (old style) and see how it goes. Otherwise, may order a new pump as well. Thanks

Yes, back plate is hold by 5 torx, nothing to do with o-ring. Most of the time leakage is from back plate though. O-ring can also cause leak in some cases. In my case back plate was leaking and re-sealing it did not work, so I replaced the whole pump. You can start with O-ring if you suspect it. If back plate is leaking then you can either try re-sealing it or change the whole pump.

[Theiceman]

Yes, back plate is hold by 5 torx, nothing to do with o-ring. Most of the time leakage is from back plate though. O-ring can also cause leak in some cases. In my case back plate was leaking and re-sealing it did not work, so I replaced the whole pump. You can start with O-ring if you suspect it. If back plate is leaking then you can either try re-sealing it or change the whole pump.

yup the trick is getting it clean clean clean . even after brake cleaner i used isopropyl alcohol with a white cloth until it came out still white.

i just checked my cam follower on the weekend and it was still dry since .

[wding2000]

yup the trick is getting it clean clean clean . even after brake cleaner i used isopropyl alcohol with a white cloth until it came out still white.

Thanks, Hemant and Iceman. I will try old style o-ring and hi-temp gasket maker on back plate first - will have a piece of white cloth ready as well -:)

[Theiceman]

you don't want gasket maker.. you want an adhesive sealant.. hondabond, yamabond 4 , threebond 1104, 1194, Loctite 574.

[wding2000]

you don't want gasket maker.. you want an adhesive sealant.. hondabond, yamabond 4 , threebond 1104, 1194, Loctite 574.

Thanks

[A-Rob]

Ok so i was prepping to do a cam chain tensioner replace in the morning and noticed my vacuum pump venting a little condensate. Not enough to make a drip but enough to soak the connectors and get a little buildup on the top. Can i just weld the seam on the back of that bastard? Havent seen any post on someone doing that, but 200 bucks is 200 buck. I can weld it for free lol id post a pic but cant figure out how hehe

[wding2000]

It turns out I have 100G pump as stock, not the newest 100H, but has gasket at base. No leaking from gasket or back plate - relief. Only small leak comes from host connection area - hose clamping it good. I guess I will save Honda bond 4 at some other use.