Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump

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Wed 30 Jan 2002 12:37
Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump - Ian Sinclair
I own a 1996 Audi A6 2.5TDI (140 bhp) with 115,000 and full Audi service history up to 100,000. I read with horror that water pump failure can be a problem with this engine which, if it happened, would cause the timing belt to fail. Does anyone know how common this really is and what can be done apart from changing the pump.

How much for a pump, possible labour charge, difficult DIY? Do I simply take a chance that it will be OK?
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Wed 30 Jan 2002 14:34
Re: Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump - Eleanor
I do not know how difficult they are to change on an Audi, however I drive a ES300 Lexus and have the timing belt and water pump changed at the same time/mileage, it gives me peace of mind. Get both changed and quit worrying about their failure and enjoy driving the car.

Eleanor
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Wed 30 Jan 2002 15:20
Re: Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump - David W
Ian,

Never done this particular engine but about a 4hr job in the trade book. Several special tools, but I guess you could get round these. Most importantly quite a specific procedure so, given the cost of failure, I might just trust this to a specialist.

Not quite like a quick DIY job on a 1.3 Golf!

David
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Wed 30 Jan 2002 19:42
Re: Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump - Bono Estente
Anyone with any thoughts on putting some brake fluid in the coolant to keep the waterpump bearings lubed and perhaps reduce the chance of failure?

Not sure I'd try it on a fairly recent turbodiesel, though.

Not recommended on an engine which tends to run hot, either, because the brake fluid will spread into a thin oily film which reduces the cooling a bit.
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Wed 30 Jan 2002 19:56
Re: Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump - Eleanor
The water pumps bearing and shaft assembly is a sealed unit which is designed to keep coolant out and lubricants in. I know that some manuacturers recommended their own coolant that have additives and allows them to charge high prices for it.

Eleanor
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Thu 31 Jan 2002 08:51
Re: Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump - John S
Bono

Eleanor is right - the coolant does not lubricate the pump bearings.

However, many years past, squeaky water pump seals were easily cured by adding an eggcupful of water soluble cutting oil to the coolant. Worked every time!

Regards

john
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Wed 30 Jan 2002 20:46
Re: Audi A6 2.5TDI Water Pump - Honest John
To claify: the 5 cylinder TDI timing belty also drived the water pump. If the water pump fails, the belt comes off, valves hit pistons and piggy banks need to be raided. But, as David W pinted out, getting both the valve timing and the distribution pump timing right via the same belt on this engine is a b*****d of a job, which is why the belts on 2.5 TDIs aren't all changed when they should be. The 2.5 TDI Transporter, the Volvo 850TDI and Volvo V70 TDIs before the new D5 all have this engine.

HJ
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