Water pump replacement - do the timing chain at the same time?

[B8Buckeye]

I'm getting a P2181 Cooling System Performance code, and my temperature gauge reads between 3/8 and 1/2 consistently. I assume I need to replace the water pump, thermostat, temperature sensor, etc.

I have about 72k miles on the car and have not done the timing chain, tensioner, etc. When I called the local shop, they recommended the timing job and said it would not cost much more than doing the water pump alone. Does this sound right?

Do you recommend anything else while that service is being done?


Thanks!

[Theiceman]

Scroll back a bit somone just asked this. Bottom line seperate jobs no advantsge

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[B8Buckeye]

Scroll back a bit somone just asked this. Bottom line seperate jobs no advantsge

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

I appreciate the response. The thread I saw was a different issue - the car already had the timing chain done, and the guy was wondering about just preventatively replacing the water pump as a stand alone procedure. If there is a different thread I missed, please post a link so I can check it out.


I need to have the water pump replaced because of the codes I'm throwing, and since I haven't had the timing chain/tensioner done on my 72K mile car, I wondered if there was any savings in labor having it done at the same time given the mileage of the car and the fact the timing chain/tensioner should likely be done soon anyway.

Also, is there anything else on this side of the engine I should consider having done along with this work while they have the car broken down?

[Theiceman]

I appreciate the response. The thread I saw was a different issue - the car already had the timing chain done, and the guy was wondering about just preventatively replacing the water pump as a stand alone procedure. If there is a different thread I missed, please post a link so I can check it out.


I need to have the water pump replaced because of the codes I'm throwing, and since I haven't had the timing chain/tensioner done on my 72K mile car, I wondered if there was any savings in labor having it done at the same time given the mileage of the car and the fact the timing chain/tensioner should likely be done soon anyway.

Also, is there anything else on this side of the engine I should consider having done along with this work while they have the car broken down?

okay that is much more descriptive and helpfull...

many shops can get in there and just replace the pump a la carte and you are on your way ...

Some insist on removing the intake. If you your shop will be removing the intake you definitely want to look at a carbon clean and maybe even injector cleaning and balancing. as the labour to take the intake off is the same and it would be silly not to do that.

Timing i still think is a completely different Job. the only real advantage is that the car is down anyway and it saves you a separate trip.

A lot of shops you wont see the savings in labour overlap anyway if its minor . They charge out for each job separately and maximize profit rather than saving you money. they bill you for 7 , do it in 5 and spend the other 2 working on the next car. Thats just how it is in the industry.

If its an obvious overlap there is savings but on something like this i dont think you will see it.

[B8Buckeye]

Great - thank you.

[silver_tt]

Never done it on a A4 but on a Q5 with the timing job, if you do it by the factory procedure, you will put the car in service position and dump the coolant; and it makes doing the pump a 15 minute add on job. This is exactly what I did. Did my timing and got a water pump (there was nothing wrong with mine) for only the cost of the part.

[Theiceman]

Never done it on a A4 but on a Q5 with the timing job, if you do it by the factory procedure, you will put the car in service position and dump the coolant; and it makes doing the pump a 15 minute add on job. This is exactly what I did. Did my timing and got a water pump (there was nothing wrong with mine) for only the cost of the part.

service position is specifically designed NOT to dump the coolant. thats why it exists. it comes forward a fixed amount. and the car is designed to have enough flex in the coolant lines so the system remains closed while in service position.

Sure you can remove the front end, But its not in the factory manual to do so. there are special bolts that are mounted in the bumper support that that the front slides forward on.

following video shows how the Q5 is done he puts it in service position ( he does not use the bolts but you get the idea. ) .

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

[silver_tt]

Good video, thanks! Didn't realize the coolant lines would have enough slack to move forward that much. Honestly it's not much space but ya looks like it's enough room to work.

There's no such thing as lifetime coolant. If you don't measure the coolant (ph and refractometer) it's not a bad idea to dump it and replace every 5 years or so.

[Theiceman]

Good video, thanks! Didn't realize the coolant lines would have enough slack to move forward that much. Honestly it's not much space but ya looks like it's enough room to work.

There's no such thing as lifetime coolant. If you don't measure the coolant (ph and refractometer) it's not a bad idea to dump it and replace every 5 years or so.

agreed

its like lifetime transmission fluid .. when you transmission dies .. then technically the fluid lasted its lifetime :)

i obviously replaced all mine when i did the engine , but i do have to admit it looked sparkling clean when it came out ( speaks nothing to the chemical make up or how much it has changed ) but i was till quite impressed compared to what used to happen to the green stuff, or should i say brown.

[silver_tt]

LOL yepppp, "lifetime" is just another name for "until it's not Audi's problem anymore"

[hamfisted]

Yeah, on these engines the water pump is located externally and driven from its own belt on the rear of the engine. It doesn't run on the timing chain. Unlike other cars they're separate jobs.