Poss Cooling/Water Pump Issue

[ARJ230580]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and looking for some much needed advice!

I recently (4 months ago) puchased a 2002 A4 2.0 Sport (ALT Engine). I noticed soon after puchasing that the engine coolant gauge wasn't moving as you would expect (well basically wasn't moving at all!) and I suspected that the thermostat was knackered.

I had a local mechanic recommended to me that had agreed to carry out the labour if I supplied the parts which I thought was a good deal. Turns out on this specific engine code you can't buy the thermostat on its own so I bought one complete with the housing as well plus the obliguatory G12 coolant from an Audi dealer which was doing a special offer at the time.

So all the repairs went well, I got the car back and all seemed to be great. Car drove well, engine was sitting bang on 90 on the guage. Two months later (2 weeks ago) I was driving on the motorway sitting at 70MPH and started going up a slight incline, just before I reached the top the coolant sensor on the console/dash starting bleeping/flashing so I immediately backed off to cool engine etc. This took a while but it did work, however, on each subsequent trip out as soon as I pushed the car or went up hill etc the engine started doing the same thing.

I took it back to the mechanic and explained what was going on and he said he suspected there may be air in the system and would take a look at it. 1 week later I contacted him to get an update and he confirmed that he bled the system and re-filled the coolant which seemed to have sorted the overheating but he's now saying that he's not getting any hot air from the heaters. I explained that the heaters were 100% working fine when it went in and he replied by saying that he suspects that the water pump may have gone.. Does this add up to you guys?? One minute I'm expecting him to put right an air in the system from his original install (which I would assume is up to him to put right), then he's telling me the heating's not working and it may need a new water pump! Does this all add up to you, I'm no expert (and sorry this is long winded - just wanted to get all the info in here) so any help would be gratefully recieved. Is it down to him to put this right or is it just unlucky and I'm going to have to dig deep and pay up for the new unforseen repairs?


Cheers

[kite]

Water pumps are known to fail.

follow me on twitter...kiteaudi...

[mikeybutch]

If the pump had gone the engine would overheat so it loks like you need to OK the work.Just bad luck

[ARJ230580]

Thanks for the replies.

I have decided to go ahead and have the water pump changed. I've also decided to get the timing belt done at the same time to save on labout (the car is approaching 60K). My mechanic has agreed to let me suppy the parts myself and he will fit everything. He's quoted £250.00 labour, does this sound about right??

In terms of parts, I have the following on the shopping list:

Timing Belt Kit (Inc tensioner, pully etc)
Water pump
G12 Coolant (2 litres)

Is there any other parts I should be including whilst I'm doing the work? Any other belts, someone I know suggested the A/C belt?

Cheers

[sam.bird3]

They are the exact symptoms I had, Waterpump was knackered. A good mechanic should do all of that in 4-5 hours. So £250 is about £60 an hour, which isnt bad to be honest. I done mine in about 5 Hours, it's an easy job but just involves taking the whole front end of the car off.

[kite]

A state change would be worth it for the extra couple of quid.

follow me on twitter...kiteaudi...

[sam.bird3]

A state change would be worth it for the extra couple of quid.

follow me on twitter...kiteaudi...

Agreed. I done my Stat at the same time.
Only advice would be definitely buy OEM. I got a Pattern Stat and the housing cracked within 4 months and needed replacing.