VW Water Pump Replacement Seattle

Volkswagen is often regarded as a more upscale, but average consumer focused brand. You’ll find that much like other similarly placed brands, most models use a variant of the same engine. For Volkswagen in the US, this engine is known as the EA888. Because so much is shared across models, common failures become all the more noteworthy. 

Chances are, if you own an early 2010’s to current day Volkswagen or Audi model with a 4 cylinder engine, you have experienced or heard of their infamous water pump issues. But what is actually going on?

Volkswagens Unique Design Approach

For these engines VW switched up the design of the water pump. While the vast majority of cars you’ll see on the road use a belt driven water pump, either driven by a timing or accessory belt (including most other VW and Audi engines), the EA888 family of engines offers a strange variant on this concept. This water pump is packaged as an assembly with the thermostat, mounted on the intake side of the engine block, and powered by a small, toothed belt driven by the rotation of one of the engines balance shafts. Because of this strange design, issues are often missed by the untrained eye. Your local VW technicians at Precision Motorworks in Seattle are well versed in this and will alert you when they see an issue.

Why Do Volkswagen Water Pumps Fail?

These water pump assemblies became infamous due to their high failure rates, most commonly due to coolant leakage. The design utilizes a plastic housing, which is bolted directly to the cast iron engine block, using a rubber gasket to seal the mating surface. Plastic is not known to be the most robust building material, and as expected, after several years of heat and wear, the plastic fatigues, warps, and cracks, ultimately leading to coolant leakage. 

Added Complications Lead to More Common Failures

Another common issue with the water pump assembly, contrary to common logic, is actually the thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for regulating the coolant flow depending on temperature and is built into the same assembly as the water pump. While technically it is serviceable separately, due to the high failure rate of the assembly, it is always recommended to replace it as a complete assembly. When the thermostat fails it may cause a check engine light to come on the dash. 

Strange Noises From the Water Pump?

Lastly, if you are experiencing a strange humming or vacuum cleaner type noise, correspondent with engine RPM, this may be the water pump failing. The water pump assembly uses a fast-rotating impeller to force coolant through the system, when it ages, it can begin making strange noises. If your engine starts sounding different, it may be a sign something is amiss with the water pump. 

Whatever model VW or Audi you drive, Precision Motorworks are your local experts, well versed in the VW. We’ll make sure to check your water pump, even in its often overlooked location, with every service including an oil change.