2016 SQ5 Coolant Leak

[Ginzy]

I’ve had to refill my coolant numerous times recently and finally noticed coolant all over the engine. Obviously there is a leak somewhere. Is this a common issue with SQ5’s? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!


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[QwertyD]

Common water pump issue. Had mine break at about 40K miles and replaced under warranty.

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[djn876]

Water pump, PCV, or thermostat. Probably water pump or thermostat from what you described. Mine was also leaking and I changed it around 40k though not leaking badly.

[Ginzy]

Thanks for the replies. I'm taking it into the dealership Monday. Thankfully still under CPO warranty.

[BahnSpeed]

Water pump failure is a common problem on the B8 SQ5s. Mine went out out on my 2015 3 weeks after the warranty expired - not a cheap fix. Good thing you caught it now.


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[Ginzy]

Water pump failure is a common problem on the B8 SQ5s. Mine went out out on my 2015 3 weeks after the warranty expired - not a cheap fix. Good thing you caught it now.


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Yeah I never knew this. Would you mind telling me what if costs to replace? I'm just curious. Thanks!

[djn876]

If you do it yourself a new pump is probably less than 150. Dealership im guessing at least 500 or 700 just for the pump.

If you DIY and pull the charger, it wouldn't hurt to do the tstat, but if you have low miles it's probably not worth it. You already likely have the newer revision that doesn't have the failure history of the older models. Some would suggest PCV, again you have a newer version and probably not worth it if you aren't having issues.

It makes it easier, but the charger doesn't have to come off for the water pump so to me not worth paying the dealer to do more than needed right now.

[cincy boy]

What is the average time the water pump lasts after the dealer replaces them? I just had mine done under the CPO at 45,000 miles. It wasn't leaking onto the ground but I could smell coolant. The reason I am asking is to see if I should plan for a long fun life with the SQ5 or plan a short life for it? It is a 2016 also.

[djn876]

What is the average time the water pump lasts after the dealer replaces them? I just had mine done under the CPO at 45,000 miles. It wasn't leaking onto the ground but I could smell coolant. The reason I am asking is to see if I should plan for a long fun life with the SQ5 or plan a short life for it? It is a 2016 also.

Could be 80k+ miles, could be next week. The water pump is one of the few less reliable components. Mine made it about 40 or 45k before it was leaking from one of the freeze plugs. They are relatively easy to change and the part isn't expensive if you do the work yourself. Order it from FCP Euro and only pay for it once. I would hardly say it is a reason not to keep the car, even if it needs to be done again in the future.

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[cincy boy]

Could be 80k+ miles, could be next week. The water pump is one of the few less reliable components. Mine made it about 40 or 45k before it was leaking from one of the freeze plugs. They are relatively easy to change and the part isn't expensive if you do the work yourself. Order it from FCP Euro and only pay for it once. I would hardly say it is a reason not to keep the car, even if it needs to be done again in the future.

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Is there a version I can use to eliminate this weak link? Seems like the overall vehicle is pretty rock solid which is good for Audi. A person would think the water pump issue is one they have resolved by now. I have dealt with the water pump on every VW product I have owned.

[djn876]

Is there a version I can use to eliminate this weak link? Seems like the overall vehicle is pretty rock solid which is good for Audi. A person would think the water pump issue is one they have resolved by now. I have dealt with the water pump on every VW product I have owned.

Unfortunately not really, problems seem to be less prevalent but i still plan on having to do one every few years. The latest revision seems better than the previous ones. But yeah, for whatever reason, VW can't seem to figure out how to make a water pump...

Overall this is an extremely well built and reliable engine, able to hold significantly more power than stock without too many complications and even the later versions of the PCV and the thermostat seem to be much more reliable. Some idiosyncrasies just like anything else, but overall a fantastic platform. Trans is pretty bulletproof as well.

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[Shaggymatt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMGjs3pDoQQ

Might as well clean the valves while you're there.

[Norskie]

Wasn't there an upgrade to the pump housing at some point, where it switched from plastic to aluminum?

VW can't seem to figure out how to make a water pump...

Nor can BMW; last week I got a letter inviting me to join a class action lawsuit against them for a car I previously owned. In their case the water pumps stop working at about 75k and by "stop working" I mean "stop pumping coolant with no warning and you either overheat your engine or get a tow to a shop". I'll take Audi's leaking pumps any day over that.

[djn876]

Wasn't there an upgrade to the pump housing at some point, where it switched from plastic to aluminum?



Nor can BMW; last week I got a letter inviting me to join a class action lawsuit against them for a car I previously owned. In their case the water pumps stop working at about 75k and by "stop working" I mean "stop pumping coolant with no warning and you either overheat your engine or get a tow to a shop". I'll take Audi's leaking pumps any day over that.

There were some options for all aluminum one on the B8 S4s, the 8.5s and SQ5s I don't think they fit though. I forget what mine looked like at this point. I feel like the housing was aluminum though and the impeller may have been plastic still.

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[Shaggymatt]

Wasn't there an upgrade to the pump housing at some point, where it switched from plastic to aluminum?



Nor can BMW; last week I got a letter inviting me to join a class action lawsuit against them for a car I previously owned. In their case the water pumps stop working at about 75k and by "stop working" I mean "stop pumping coolant with no warning and you either overheat your engine or get a tow to a shop". I'll take Audi's leaking pumps any day over that.

Let's not forget about VAG's recent class action for waterpumps: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2...-reached.shtml

Maybe the newer models just don't have enough representation. Get your reports in if you've suffered a failed waterpump! I believe this is where you'd do so: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

[Twotonicnite]

I was on a road trip to the Smokies just before Thanksgiving in the 2016 Q5 3.0T, when I got a low coolant alarm. Went to Asheville, NC Audi and sure enough - bad water pump. I was a bit shocked to see a water pump failure at 45K miles. Still under CPO luckily, and the job took less than 2 hrs. so I'm not too concerned about doing it myself in the future. I've got a 2015 S5 as well with 20K miles, so now I'm concerned about the same potential problem with her in the future.