T5 Water Pump in R5 5cyl.TDI (discussion thread)

[Transporter]

They told me the same thing when I wanted a T4 waterpump. I think VW Germany are just trying to show that they are "green" & a responsible manufacturer. With some people this can influence sales. An example of this thinking is the Toyota Prius, particularly in the US.

I beleive that they just want to keep it in. Why would you waste the energy to send something 20,000km away for recycling, when you want to save the planet?

[Sunny43.5]

Hi guys my water pump experience , about 4 years ago the van had about 50.000 ks and on a return trip from Moto Cross racing with my son out at Mundubbera returning to Brisbane . The water level light came on so topped it up and it came on again about 120 kms later , this went on for the next 4 weeks no sign of water in oil and no sign of water leaking out anywhere , really puzzeling . Eventually took into VW service $1400 later new pump fitted and was told they had to remove engine to do the job , now I see on the brickworks that someone in the UK without formal training and some basic non genuine tools did the same job without engine removal .Was I taken for a ride ???? is it a requirement to remove the T5 2.5 to do a water pump , I should have been suspicious as they did the whole job in less than a day !! . Now I also since have been told to pay deposit etc when buying parts for my sons T4 [ refused each time ] bought a new vacumm brake pump and they wanted the old one back replaced the water pump and they wanted the old one back , now I was only replacing the pump whilst engine was out for swap job and I wanted to do the timing belt so water pump was done at same time . Now I don,t know about you lot but "I " owned the old water pump which was still in good condition and vacumm pump as far as I am concerned if VW want them back they should pay us for the parts as they are ours in the first place , I was told that the actual price for metal parts was double until you returned the old ones and as I said I refused . It stinks as far as I am concerned . Howard

[Blacksambo]

Bugger, bugger, bugger. This has just happened to my T5. Why don't the VW repair guys just tell you outright at 50,000 klm that it should be replaced. Another problem for the water disappearing from the tank apparently can be the oil cooler as it also uses water from the radiator and if it develops a crack or split pipe the water can leak into the oil. Very costly by the sounds of it.

[Transporter]

It's easy to check if the w/pump is leaking. There is a small dia. black hose on the side of the engine block closer to the gearbox that can be seen when looking from below (side of the engine closer to the firewall). That hose will have pinky looking coolant deposits at the end or could still be leaking from it. It's still easier to remove the w/pump cover (only 3 bolts) and check for the movement at the w/pump gear, rather than removing the oil cooler. If the gear moves you know for sure that the w/pump is shot.

That's the new pump fitted in my T5, showing the gear.

[Sunny43.5]

We all have had this problem before and I will repeat what I said last year about "recycling" consider this . You buy your van complete with all its bits etc , something fails and you go to VW for a new part they tell you you have to pay a deposit for the new part {mainly larger metal components} here is whats wrong guys "YOU " own that part worn out broken or whatever , if VW want it back they should pay "US" as we already own the part . Its a nice gesture for VW to want to recycle but if so then give us a percentage reduction in price for these parts . The conspiracy theories are a nice touch and do have some merit . Howard PS our water pump carked from memory at only 60.000ks , what got up my nose was the cost around $1400 as they told me the engine had to be removed , must have been a quiet day as our van was finished around 4pm same day it was booked in ,hmmmm maybe they used several mechanics to do it so fast .

[Transporter]

I agree with you mate, when you pay for the new part, there is no deposit to be charged to you, as long as you're getting a brand new pump not reconditioned one. The pump can be replaced in 1-2 hours with the new coolant filled in and cooling system bled. However the time to clean the mess in the engine sump can take 1-2 hours, since the oil/coolant needs to be flushed from the engine lubricating system. So, it is indeed very expensive job. Replacing the w/pump at 50,000km, if it lasted, could save a lot of money. I will definitely check mine at 110,000km and replace it if in doubts.

If you want to check the w/pump condition;
Only go to the next step when you detect coolant loss and you had to top up the coolant in the coolant reservoir (the system is closed needs topping up only if the coolant is disappearing somewhere)



Remove 3bolts (red arrows) and pry off the w/pump cover (it has rubber gasket, don't break it)
Push on the side of the w/pump gear, to feel for any excessive play in the w/pump bearing

[Blacksambo]

Got a call from the mechanic on Friday about my water pump issues and he says he can't get a quote on the cost of the new replacement pump WTF !! "could be between $400 and $600" WTF. How can a genuine part not have a cost to supply ?? Is it that VW want the old back to destroy the evidence before sending the new ?? Bugger Bugger Bugger. Really need to find an honest mechanic. And I've been trying to talk my wife into a new Transporter !! Ha Ha , not much of a chance of that at the moment eh !! No so happy Jan.

[Transporter]

The new pump is around $300, I can send you one if your mechanic can't get it.

[T5 Damo]

My T5 is at 47000ks now, to check this pump visually do you inspect when carrying out oil change and do you need to change coolant at same time? Thanks for any help.

Damo.

[Transporter]

You don't need to change the coolant. Just check the small dia. hose at the back of the engine and also remove the cover over the w/pump as it is described in the pictures above.

[T5 Damo]

Thankyou sir will inspect it when i do my next oil change.

---------- Post added at 08:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 PM ----------

Just researching a new pump price and finding the appropriate tooling to carry out the task. Looks like i need to set TDC with a tool and also tooling required to remove and replace the pump. I am thinking about buying these tools to do the job as i plan on having the van for a long time. Anyone used the correct tooling to do the job at home or just made do with tools they have already? If i get the tooling i could then loan it our to others that prefer to do the job at home. I prefer to do all my won maintenance on my VW's.

[MultiplexMan]

I just hit 50K after returning from SA. I gave the van a check over and noticed that my coolant is now below minimum.

No emulsion at the oil cap or the dip stick. I cannot see any tell tale leak at the water pump. No alarm in the dash - yet.

I'm thinking that I'll get the water pump replaced as a precaution. I intend to keep this van for a very long time. I just had a quote for $640 to fit a Kolbenschmidt pump. This appears a bit heavy.

I'll get the cooling system pressure checked. I guess a head/gasket failure is the worst possible case.

The joys of VW ownership.

[Sunny43.5]

Just out of interest sake when our pump started to leak 60,000 all we got was the coolant level light would come on around every 150 kays after topping up . After around 3 weeks of looking for signs of a leak I took it to VW who replaced the pump with no mention of water in the oil , and to be quite honest I never saw any sign of water in the oil myself so where the water was going to I have no idea maybe such small amounts did not contaminate the oil to any visible degree .

[Transporter]

I just hit 50K after returning from SA. I gave the van a check over and noticed that my coolant is now below minimum.

No emulsion at the oil cap or the dip stick. I cannot see any tell tale leak at the water pump. No alarm in the dash - yet.

I'm thinking that I'll get the water pump replaced as a precaution. I intend to keep this van for a very long time. I just had a quote for $640 to fit a Kolbenschmidt pump. This appears a bit heavy.

I'll get the cooling system pressure checked. I guess a head/gasket failure is the worst possible case.

The joys of VW ownership.

It's very rare that head gasket fails and if it was replaced on any T5, I would always doubt it that it was at the fault, especially when the replacement didn't solve the coolant loss.

The price you were quoted is OK. The pump is expensive, you will need new coolant, in most cases new oil and filter for the engine.

To those of you who plan to DIY. Make sure that you have right tools for the job, if it's your first w/pump to replace, it will take you a long time or even worst.

[MultiplexMan]

I'm pretty disappointed to be frank. I've owned VW vehicles all my life and the T5 has been the most disappointing compared to the others (T2; Golf I, III, IV, V; Polo II, III).

50,000 km out of a water pump is pathetic. I am doubly cheesed off as I asked the VW dealer on several occassions, whilst the van was under warranty, if my water pump was part of the recall. Evidently it was not. If this is the performance of a standard production water pump...

The cost of ownership is starting to climb on this van. I planned to keep the vehicle and was trusting that it would remain reliable provided I maintained it. This coming "service" will exceed the $1000 mark. That's Lexus territory!

I received a letter from VW yesterday for a fix on the cooling fan electrics. Another trip to the dealer.

EDIT: Thanks Transporter. The head gasket was worst case and I have no other symptoms to suggest it.
I'll talk to the workshop this morning. The cost of the fluids should "come off" the total service bill so hopefully it will all be under $1000. I think they quoted it as a job seperate from a service.