Water pump life expectancy

[B. Rock]

Given that all of my previous VAG cars had timing belt engines where the water pump got changed out every ~60k, and our avant just passed 126k this week, I got to wondering about the water pump. Carfax shows the water pump was done at around 40k miles with the recall/TSB/whatever, but if I'm going to be in there doing the PCV + thermostat, should I just do the water pump at the same time? On one hand it's scope creep, but on the other - looking at the procedure to replace it, I'll be most of the way there already.

[95blkmax]

I'm at 126k also (but 2yrs more age) and it's holding strong so far *knock on wood* . But I'd side with your train of thought there to just knock it out while you're in the area anyway. It just makes sense to do so, epsecially if you are working with mods on this engine and this pump has about 86k on it already. Not that you have to, but more of cheap insurance and peace of mind. But even if you end up not replacing the pump, I'd strongly recommend replacing the coolant crossover pipe. That damn thing becomes brittle and it's a PITA to replace it without putting the car in service position. Since you'll already be doing work in that area, I'd consider it.

Good luck!

[B. Rock]

I saw a couple threads on the crossover pipe for the 3.2, should have realized that was shared with the 3.0T as well. Good point, thanks.

[Robokam]

I'm at 147k and just had the coolant crossover pipe (was leaking), radiator reserve tank and drive belt tensioner replaced. While at the shop they noticed the pulley for the water pump had some play/movement so they ended up replacing that as well. This is my second water pump (147k) and I had one replaced at around 40k. You might as well replace it because once it goes bad you aren't going anywhere except in a tow truck or flat bed.

[JPJ2007]

Be aware, for the water pump to be changed the coolant cross over pipe must be removed.

I did my coolant cross over pipe, and because it came off I replaced my water pump but it wasn't bad or needing replaced at 212k miles. It was cheap though so I just did it along with a bunch of other stuff on the front of the motor.

If your going to DIY this job, let me know and I can give some tips. It only cost a few hundred in parts and I was able to do basically the front of the motor including my thermostat. Also, a carbon cleaning since the Intake manifold has to come off..

[casey_tuzziano]

I just replaced my water pump on my b8 a4 that has 104k on it. Nothing was wrong with it yet, I just decided to do it since my engine is pulled from the car currently.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Audizine mobile app

[B. Rock]

Be aware, for the water pump to be changed the coolant cross over pipe must be removed.

I did my coolant cross over pipe, and because it came off I replaced my water pump but it wasn't bad or needing replaced at 212k miles. It was cheap though so I just did it along with a bunch of other stuff on the front of the motor.

If your going to DIY this job, let me know and I can give some tips. It only cost a few hundred in parts and I was able to do basically the front of the motor including my thermostat. Also, a carbon cleaning since the Intake manifold has to come off..

Yes, going to be DIY. Been on the to do list for awhile, but everytime I gear up something gets added to the scope, so it gets bumped a little.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Most of my customers are seeing about 100k life from the water pump, JPJ2007 if that is 212k on the original that's super impressive goes to prove not everyone sees the same results. And I agree on the crossover pipe, it's a must, a new thermostat for good measure while you're working on the cooling system isn't a bad idea either (we see them fail more often that the waterpumps).

-James

[JPJ2007]

^^ Love when companies chime in with information like that. Thank you ECS, that's huge because you guys deal with thousands of customers vs just a few of us trying to chime in.
I think I bought most of my parts from ecs. Some may have been from Rock Auto just because it was cheaper, and im a poor man. lol

ECS, I've been pretty lucky with the car. I bought it just after it was returned from a lease program with 90k on it and 3yrs old. So, I assume most of what I have is original since I've had it for the remaining 150k miles between 90k and 240k ( Current mileage )

I can put some diy tips/info together but the biggest tip I have is have a coolant pressure tester and adapter. I did my thermostat, to proper trq specs and 20k miles later developed a big leak. Tightened down with loctite, with 20psi on the system and so far so good but that meant taking the IM off again and always runs the risk of stuff not being right. Which im now dealing with a cel and have parts on the way. Figures.

I never could figure out what our systems normal pressure is. I don't have a bentley or anything.

When I did my crossover pipe from braking it, I also did
Water Pump
Coolant Temp Sensors
Tensioner & Pulley
Idler Pulley
Serpentine belt
Upper/Lower Rad hoses(One broke so I had to)
ThermoStat

ECS Tuning Front Snub Poly Mount! Def do this!
Here's my oem snub mount vs the ECS one I put in!



Because thermostat requires Intake Manifold removal.... May as well do a carbon cleaning! I did it manually by hand but next time I would buy a media blaster from amazon.
So that also meant ordering some extra gaskets
Intake Manifold gaskets
Intake Runner Gaskets

And Honestly, If you're this deep into it you really may as well replace the Oil Filter Housing Gasket... It's all Apart and it's a cheap gasket I think $4 IIRC.

I know it sounds ridiculous but if you're this far into it... I would do Valve Cover gaskets and all 4 Solenoid O rings. ($3 Each)

This one may be debatable... I haven't even done it but wish I would have now. - I might even tell you the Rear Upper timing Chain Covers should be removed, Inspect the upper chain guards and put new rtv on the covers. Mine now leak.

My circumstance is a little different, I did all this at 212k miles so a lot of my parts and gaskets would have needed replacing within the next 50k anyway... So it was a no brainer.

[B. Rock]

Sounds like if I'm at 80k on the pump, then tossing in a water pump is probably smart. Done. Crossover pipe added as well. I ruptured a coolant hose on a 1.8T when it was 8*F one morning hammering up a side road before the sun was even up...that experience has made me leery of any old cooling system components.

Yes, carbon cleaning was on the list and I have the gaskets to do it, along with some cleaning tools. Pretty curious to see how it looks in there.

Belt + tensioner already on the list.

I noticed the snub mount needed love during the last oil change. That'll probably get done when I do the crank pulley.

Good to know on oil filter housing gasket, I'll ad that one.

I might draw the line at the valve cover + timing chain gaskets. By the next time this comes around it will probably be time for those, and who knows if we'll still have the car then.

However, while the blower is off: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ger-oil-change

[JPJ2007]

Ah forgot you had the 3.0t.

I also thought you had about 150k miles not 80k. So I wouldn't worry about too much stuff.

I waited until 212k to touch anything. Hell.

[B. Rock]

I'm at ~126k. The water pump was done around 40k by the PO.

[95blkmax]

I'm at 126k also (but 2yrs more age) and it's holding strong so far *knock on wood* . But I'd side with your train of thought there to just knock it out while you're in the area anyway. It just makes sense to do so, epsecially if you are working with mods on this engine and this pump has about 86k on it already. Not that you have to, but more of cheap insurance and peace of mind. But even if you end up not replacing the pump, I'd strongly recommend replacing the coolant crossover pipe. That damn thing becomes brittle and it's a PITA to replace it without putting the car in service position. Since you'll already be doing work in that area, I'd consider it.

Good luck!

sorry for bringing this back from the dead... but I had to share. What are the chances that today I'm finally getting around to researching this subject because just yesterday (exactly a year after I posted the quote above and at 128,002mi since)... I smelled coolant when I got home, popped the hood and my inspection yielded coolant dripping down the front of the engine and puddling under the intake manifold, LOL.

I just ordered the t-stat, water pump, coolant, water wetter, temp sensor, and new lower radiator hose (this is preventive, as my old vacuum pump had been leaking oil on the original lower hose for a while and it had started to show a little swelling) from ECS Tuning. My crossover pipe (along with the upper radiator hose) was recently replaced so I don't expect to have any issues unbolting and reinstalling it. I already did my OFH gasket and re-siliconed my upper rear timing covers. To my surprise, there was barely any carbon buildup on the back of the intake valves when I peeked in during my OFH gasket replacement. There was carbon, but IMO not enough to merit the labor to clean it up at this point. So maybe later in the late spring/ early summer.

I'll create a new thread in the coming days once the parts arrive/ it warms up enough for me to go in the garage and do this lol.

[estomax]

does the waterpump on these cars have a weep hole so it will start leaking when the bearing starts to go? i am at 236k and probably on the original pump, but i don't want to tear into the intake manifold/thermostat/waterpump until i realllly have to.

thanks!
Marko

[Klaus Von R.]

does the waterpump on these cars have a weep hole so it will start leaking when the bearing starts to go? i am at 236k and probably on the original pump, but i don't want to tear into the intake manifold/thermostat/waterpump until i realllly have to.

thanks!
Marko

I can look later today. I have a new pump sitting on my work bench. I would think it would have a weep hole but you never know with cars nowadays.

[95blkmax]

does the waterpump on these cars have a weep hole so it will start leaking when the bearing starts to go? i am at 236k and probably on the original pump, but i don't want to tear into the intake manifold/thermostat/waterpump until i realllly have to.

thanks!
Marko

I can look later today. I have a new pump sitting on my work bench. I would think it would have a weep hole but you never know with cars nowadays.

I'll wait until you check. I'm not sure myself and it will be at least until next weekend at the earliest that I'll dig into the car to find out :)

[B. Rock]

I don't recall if they do or not. I actually don't think it did, but it's entirely possible I'm wrong.

[Klaus Von R.]

Looking at a Rein pump for a 3.2, it had a weep hole. Not sure if a genuine Audi water pump has one. I’m going to do mine in a couple weeks so I will know then.