Advice needed from the mechanics amongst you

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I have a Y reg VW Bora SE TDI that has never given me any real trouble until Sunday when I had to be rescued by the AA on the M6.

Basically, the car overheated and I received the STOP message. The AA mechanic checked a few things and 'suspected' a water pump failure. I understand that the timing belt would need to be changed at the same time as the water pump but I have no idea as to how big a job this is? Haven't had the chance to ring a garage yet but I'm obviously concerned about the damage to my pocket, what type of price do you think I'll be looking at?

Strange thing was that the temp seemed to drop whenever I lifted off the throttle or is that to be expected?
 
Soldato
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Sounds like a water pump failure pretty common if the water pump isn't changed during timing belt changes. It is run off the timing belt so you should get this replaced with the tensioners. You are probably looking around £300 for the lot to be changed the parts alone are around £130 the last time I checked.
 
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there are two cambelt kits dependent on which tensioner is fitted, around £90 to £130

water pump is about £40
labour probably around £150 (£250 main-dealer)
anti-freeze £10
 
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Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer to buy some of the parts for my new PC build then :( However, I suppose it could have been worse.
 
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Aaaaaaargh!!!! The damn car is making a liar out of me. It has been in a local garage all day today and they have given it back to me declaring that there is nothing wrong with it! They say they have checked everything and that the car has not once overheated for them.

However, it appears that it is only overheating when on the motorway because I just took it for a run on the M62 and it started to overheat after 5 mins of doing a steady 70mph!

Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be cos I got no chance if the 'experts' at the garage can't spot it!
 
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did they pull the waterpump out?

the impeller part can lose grip on the driveshaft so it doesn't spin properly at speed but will grip enough to cool the engine while left idling in a corner for a hour.
 
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Has it got aircon? I have seen radiators get blocked (the fins) by road crap it usually gets through the A/C condenser as they are bigger than the radiator fins.
What then happens is the air cant flow through the radiator and the car overheats. Of course normally you cant see the fins being blocked as the A/C condenser is in the way.

If that engine has a plastic impellor for the pump then the above post from dalin80 would make sense too.
 
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did they pull the waterpump out?

the impeller part can lose grip on the driveshaft so it doesn't spin properly at speed but will grip enough to cool the engine while left idling in a corner for a hour.

Seems like you could be spot on dalin80. Took it to a VW specialist today and I purposely didn't mention anything other than how the car is mis-behaving and that the garage yesterday couldn't find anything wrong. Straight away the guy said to me he has dealt with a few issues like this and it is almost certain to be the water pump with the impeller part being the chief suspect and that it is a common failing caused buy anti freeze not being changed regularly.

He also said that the garage yesterday probably never bothered removing the water pump to look at it as it is time consuming. He went on to say that if it is not the water pump it is likely to be the head gaskett! But that I will be very unluky if it is as they are not renowned for it.

Anyways, he has quoted me £330 to replace water pump and timing belt etc. I'll be leaving it with him tomorrow and feel confident he knows what he is doing and isn't trying to rip me off although I know these days you can never be too sure!
 
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Got my car back today and all is well once more. The problem was exactly as dalin80 suggested so thanks to him and to all that gave suggestions.
 
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before you pull it apart, open the expansion tank and start the engine

you can see if the water pump is alive by whether the water is circulating

the fact it cooled off throttle leads me to think threre is some cooling. maybe a stat
 
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before you pull it apart, open the expansion tank and start the engine

you can see if the water pump is alive by whether the water is circulating

the fact it cooled off throttle leads me to think threre is some cooling. maybe a stat


your a day too late mate!
 
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