Golf GTI 187k clicks - Coolant Leak down timing belt side

[mb1907953]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with a coolant leak down the RHS (Timing Belt Side) of the engine on the GTI? It seems to be leaking down the rear RH corner of the block and ends up dripping off the sump and off the alloy part of the intake (charge) pipe?

Car is 2007 model with 180ks and has had stage 2 APR since new.

It has had one timing belt change at around 110ks that included the water pump, but thinking that this looks like a water pump issue?

Could potentially be a head issue as well after some digging online, but I feel like this is unlikely. Has been regularly service with good VW coolant used as far as I can see! Seems to still go hard as hell as well, but keen for anyone's opinion!

I am thinking water pump leak... But was planning to do a drive to sydney and back to brisbane on it which may not be wise anymore...

Cheers all

[The One]

Hey bud, sounds like waterpump to me but only way you can be 100% sure is to remove the timing covers to check... Can you see traces of coolant/dried up coolant around the harmonic balancer/seeping out from inside the lower timing cover? (where the balancer is?) a photo will do wonders here too . I wouldn't advise driving to sydney unless you take coolant with you and watch the level occasionally but you also don't want to risk having a 'blowout' leak losing all coolant which could overheat and damage the engine too...

[mb1907953]

I'll grab a photo tonight! But I'm thinking you are right!

How hard is it to get the lower cover off the timing belt? If it's anything like an old s3 8L it's going to be a pain...


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[h100vw]

I'll grab a photo tonight! But I'm thinking you are right!

How hard is it to get the lower cover off the timing belt? If it's anything like an old s3 8L it's going to be a pain...

Same set up as S3 effectively. I'd plan on buying a timing belt kit and pump. Then just do it. Under $400 from memory. Can get you one off imparts if you want.


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Typed reply above the line

[The One]

I'll grab a photo tonight! But I'm thinking you are right!

How hard is it to get the lower cover off the timing belt? If it's anything like an old s3 8L it's going to be a pain...


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Not too hard mate, just need to remove the engine mounting, harmonic balancer and all the T30 torx bits holding the engine cover on (and some extras like tensioner pulley, drive belt etc) basically if you've done a s3 8L you'll be right with the GTI . But as h100VW said, if you're going in that area, I would just do the kit while you're in there, considering your belt was done @ 110's which would mean it's next due @ 215k's, you're currently @ 187k's so abit early but no excessively early, all good for a peace of mind .

[mb1907953]

Golf GTI 187k clicks - Coolant Leak down timing belt side

Sorry for the repost!

Thanks for the reply guys, will look into it, more just wanted to see how bad the pump was leaking as so desperately need to do this trip south, but might be cutting it fine.

Is it hard to get the lower cover off?

[The One]

Sorry for the repost!

Thanks for the reply guys, will look into it, more just wanted to see how bad the pump was leaking as so desperately need to do this trip south, but might be cutting it fine.

Is it hard to get the lower cover off?

Remove upper cover, drive belt, drive belt tensioner, harmonic balancer, engine mount, T30's for lower cover and pull it off, not too hard buddy.