Water Pump Woes

[lennonjon]

It's been years since I posted here (life gets busy), but I have a question for everyone concerning water pumps and the MK6.My 2011 Gti Autobahn MT only has 67k miles on it. In that time, I've needed to replace the water pump twice. Once was in 2016 at 35k miles, which was covered under warranty. Now the Dealership wants to charge me over $1,600 to replace it again at 67k miles. This seems ridiculous to me that I would need to change the water pump every 35k miles. I've seen some people post about water pump issues and the MK6.

So I have a few questions based on the facts that I plan on keeping this car forever, but cannot accept replacing a part that should last 70k+ in have that distance.

Should I raise a stink with the Dealership or contact someone higher up on the corporate ladder?

Should I do this repair elsewhere with better aftermarket parts? If there is a better part, what do you suggest?

Thanks for any advice.

--Jon

 

[1ashchuckton]

From what I understand our GTIs eat these water pumps for lunch. My 2013 received its water pump replacement at 25,000 miles. I'm at 61,000 miles now and hopefully the water pump will last many more miles.

Your price quote for the job seems on the high side to me. Although it's a somewhat bitch of a job. While you have it being done you might enquire about having the intake valves cleaned at that time since the intake manifold is already off. You can also see if there is a competent independent shop near you that could do the work for less. I'm not aware of an updated aftermarket pump.

Raising a stink will get you nowhere. Yes talk with them about their cost, and remember it's not their fault VW uses a crap water pump. VW corporate could care less about you and your 2011 GTI, but go for it you might get lucky.

Good luck, let us know how things work out with this.

 

[This is Ryans face]

Heat destroys the plastic waterpumps. It took several years for mine to go after it went back in 2015. I mean it literally dropped all coolant all over the parking lot I was in one night at random. Had it replaced by an independent shop for $1200 and then sold the heap. He showed me the old pump though, and the rounded rectangle gasket was severely warped as well as a few of the
pieces around it had cracked and broken off. I know they tried to remake the waterpumps with metal or aluminum, but I don't think they did much better.

As far as why it's expensive to replace. The pump is $400+ and labor rates are almost $200/hr. The intake manifold has to come off to complete the job, so you understand why it's so costly.
It's pure bullshit, but unfortunately the extended warranty is long dead for everyone now.

 

[jay745]

The metal aftermarket pumps do better. You absolutely don't need to take the manifold either, it just gives you more room if you do. Done it both ways many times, it's faster to leave the manifold on.

 

[WeekendPacifist]

I put a Rein aluminum water pump on my B8 Q5 about 30k ago and haven't had any issues, knock on wood. The OEM cracked right where the housing meets the block. The only thing that could put stress there is heat cycling.

 

[lennonjon]

Thanks all for your responses.

Luckily, I live an hour away from HS Tuning. They are going to put in the aforementioned Rein water pump and clean the intake valves for the same price that the dealsrship wanted to charge me for just the OEM water pump. Unluckily, they can't get me in for a couple of weeks.

 

[Ganiman]

Just throwing this out there. I've replaced my pump once in almost 200k miles. Thermostat housing just cracked the other day giving me a slow leak. Getting other work done anyway and thermostat will be swapped out, but possibly could do the whole pump again. My shop can't believe I haven't gone through more of them either.

 

[DELETE]

Be mindful if you want to swap to an aluminum pump, I think only us CBFA's have the sensor on the inlet port and when I wanted to a while back, couldn't find an aluminum version with that connection. If yours doesn't have it then you can easily throw an aluminum pump in.

 

[DELETE]