Coolant leak?

[Zeb]

Since the weather has heated up, I noticed that there was a puddle of coolant leaking just below the cambelt. I was driving on the motorway yesterday, and a warning sign came up check coolant! I pulled over had a look and saw that there was no collant in the tank. This happend last summer, at that time I never took any notice, as I thought it is the AC pump causing condensation. But I have realised that this could be something else.

I have to change the cambelt as it is due soon, I know this will cost alot and on top of that I gota change the waterpump at the same time. If the problem is with the rad, then I'm doomed!

Is rad an expensive job to do?

[kite]

you could have a leaking water pump, a pressure tset on the cooling system should show where the leak is.

[Zeb]

you could have a leaking water pump, a pressure tset on the cooling system should show where the leak is.
Thanks, will make a trip to the garage this week and test it out,

[Zeb]

Got a quote for cambelt and waterpump change for £369 inc parts, labour and VAT.

Do you think the price is right?

[A4 Lad]

Just make sure that it is a "GENUINE VW KIT" rather than just an aftermarket belt.

[Zeb]

Just make sure that it is a "GENUINE VW KIT" rather than just an aftermarket belt.
All the parts are VW genuine.

[fat controller]

Just make sure that it is a "GENUINE VW KIT" rather than just an aftermarket belt.

Are the aftermarket ones all that bad then? When I was looking recently, one of the brands was Continental who I would have thought would have made pretty decent stuff? Besides, what are the chances that VW actually make these bits themselves?

[A4 Lad]

In average, origanal parts are not much more expensive and even cheaper alot of the time compared to aftermarket. The real advantage is in these stories :
My work mate put an origanal kit onto his brothers A4, 5'000 miles later, the tensioner came apart ( for what reason I dont know ). Audi came and towed the car away, carried out the work, washed the car and returned it. FOC !!!
About a year ago I had a Skoda Octavia which had got a timing belt kit replaced alot of moths earlier and one of the roller bearings from the new kit started making a noise. I replaced the kit and my motor factors had to refund me as the maker of the kit, who I will not name but is a big company beginning with G...., said they have no evidence that it was correctly fitted !!!! Who paid for the labour and the potential loss of a customer ??? ME !!!
I am one for back street garages and independent motor factors as I myself own one but quality of parts these days are not there, so best sticking with someone that increases your chances of a better product.
PS - The only thing that really bugs me is this surcharge on water pumps as I have to wait three months a time for a cheque back from TPS !!

[fat controller]

Thanks A4 Lad - I honestly thought that the aftermarket parts would be the same parts, made in the same factories, simply packaged in different packaging.

[A4 Lad]

Very possible but its the aftercare that attracts folk