TDi water pump

dan_b

dan_b

A2OC Donor
So it turns out when my car had its cambelt done before I bought it (80k) they didn't also do the water pump. Having just changed the thermostat (at 92k and it didn't look too healthy), I'm thinking I ought to change the pump as well as a prophylactic measure.

So, is the water pump on the TDi a DIY job? If so, what's involved? Any bear traps or special tools? What other parts are needed, or is it just a case of remove cam belt, remove pump, replace pump, replace cambelt and drive on happy?

Or should I just take it to a local spanner man?
 
You should try to get hold of one with a metal impeller (if you can), not sure if Mike was able to sourse one he resently has done the cambelt on Tank

Cheers Phil
 
Hmm, maybe I won't do it myself then, don't fancy that. Frustrating as the belt was done when I bought the car but not the water pump. I just bought a new water pump from Audi, it's got the plastic impellor.
 
It's a no-brainer not to change the water pump at the same time as the timing belt. For £80 extra I decided to get it done at the same time. Most of the cost to replace the belt is labour - unless of course you DIY. Didn't fancy it myself.
 
Awesome GTi in Manchester will supply waterpumps with metal impellers, they were able to show me a standard pump with a broken one.
 
I remember when I asked about this a few months ago, a few posters came to the conclusion that Audi fitted the plastic impeller pump and it wasn't such a bad thing.

Now we are back on the must get a metal impeller fan...has there been a sudden run of plastic pump failures recently?...

Is their anything conclusive to back up why a metal impeller is a must have, or is it just typical forum scaremongering?
 
Mike showed me his previous plastic impeller water pump, and the plastic bits look very delicate. Mike also said how if you was to place a very strong solution of just coolant it would most likely cause the plastic bits to fail. If you can get hold of the metal ones, I would go for it. I will be next when my belt is due.. :)
 
gsf do a oem waterpump with a metal impeller for around £25+ vat if this intrests you. A friend of mine has recently changed one on his 1.4 tdi 2003 and the specialist mechanic insisted that a metal impeller would make more sense, as he has seen many plastic ones fail! and not only in the a2 but across the vag group, and in my personal experience ive seen them fail in the a2,mk3 golf, mk3 passat:eek:
 
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I'm assuming that a 1.2Tdi is pretty similar to a 1.4Tdi. I've done all three of our cars, two ANY's and an AYZ (almost identical to an ANY) and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. With the locking tools it's fairly foolproof if you follow the instructions to the letter. I may be wrong but I think Spike might have made things difficult by not loosening the bolts that hold the camshaft sprocket to the camshaft; this is necessary to fully tension the belt. The most difficult part that I find is removing the alternator pulley from the crankshaft - it's a good idea to replace the socket screws.

RAB
 
Hi RAB
You'r correct, I did not slacken the camshaft sprocket bolts but I was lucky and it did not hinder cambelt installation. If there had been any variation on tooth pitch on the new belt things may have been different. This would have become apparant when double checking the timing after turning the engine over a couple of times. The hardest bit I found was how to lock the tensioner plunger before taking the old belt off.

Cheers Spike
 
Hi Spike,

Yes, there is an adjusting tool for the belt tensioner with two prongs which has the effect of opening/closing the damper. If you didn't have that, I can imagine it would be difficult to get the damper plunger in the right position to insert the keeper.

RAB
 
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