well that scared the s*%t out of me - sudden water pump failure!

[specialized32]

Hi all,

Checked my coolant levels just two days back yesterday go for normal drive half way through BAM red light check coolant levels. Pulled over check to find there literally 100ml left in the reservoir.

Is this common in the MK5 for the water pump to just go like that? Luckily my local mechanic was close so re-filled the reservoir and cranked the heating. Really wanted to go to Volkwerke but didn't want it towed. He couldn't look at it until Monday but from where i could see the coolant leak definitely is water pump.

Has anyone replaced with a Hepu or Graf metal impeller pump? Much debate on this some say dont mess about and go OEM.

While hes doing that I might as well replace the tension pulley, idler pulley and belt?

Any advice would be great I never had so many little problems with my R32

[Umai Naa!!]

Yeah, worth doing the timing belt and pulleys at the same time.

Don't use a metal impeller on these. When the bearing fails on the pump, the metal impeller can cause terminal damage to the engine block. SKF does decent plastic impeller water pumps.

[specialized32]

Yeah, worth doing the timing belt and pulleys at the same time.

Don't use a metal impeller on these. When the bearing fails on the pump, the metal impeller can cause terminal damage to the engine block. SKF does decent plastic impeller water pumps.

While i wait for the dreadful phone call on Monday called around and can get a complete Gates kit which includes.

water pump (OEM style plastic impeller with what i have read better bearings and higher tolerance than OEM?) 2 year warranty
V-belt
idler pulley
tension pulley

I hear good things about gates surprisingly they are linked to VW as a aftermarket supplier? so assume the quality is very good

All up $285. They wanted to add the alternator pulley for another $100 but i think its perhaps overkill? That in my view takes care of ALL auxiliary belt systems

[kdog]

While i wait for the dreadful phone call on Monday called around and can get a complete Gates kit which includes.

water pump (OEM style plastic impeller with what i have read better bearings and higher tolerance than OEM?) 2 year warranty
V-belt
idler pulley
tension pulley

I hear good things about gates surprisingly they are linked to VW as a aftermarket supplier? so assume the quality is very good

All up $285. They wanted to add the alternator pulley for another $100 but i think its perhaps overkill? That in my view takes care of ALL auxiliary belt systems

care to share a link to where you purchased from? im looking to do this soon before it dies.

[specialized32]

care to share a link to where you purchased from? im looking to do this soon before it dies.

I just went on to gates website (Aus catalogue) and called believe it or not supercheap auto as they are a distributor and got a deal on all the parts. Worked out cheaper than shipping it in myself. Just be mindful that there are three belt listings for a MKV R32 which is 022145933AP. Also its up two you but on the VR6 engine you need two idler pulleys.

[vinnY]

ordered and installed the gates timing belt kit with the plastic impeller pump(the metal one is available, i went with plastic anyway)
installed in late 2016 and have done about 40,000km since with no issues to report
even eventually went with the gates serpentine belt eventually