water pump / overheating

[Dom Sweeten]

After a search I have realised my water pump may have gone.

To check though, the car has been overheating in slow traffic up to temperatures of 120.
Turning the heater on manages to bring it down a bit.
My coolant levels are fine. I think oil level is good (not sure if related though)
The car doesn't generally overheat unless I am stationary however so does this mean it may still be the water pump?

If the plastic impellor has split then is this something I can spot myself to confirm it?
The car is booked in to check the problem out so would like to know if I can save myself a little by spotting the problem first.

Any quick advice appreciated..

 

[NickT]

Try post #5 in this link.

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=22522&highlight=WATER+PUMP+FAILURE

A quick search for Water pump failure threw up quite a few post, known issue with this engine and if it is the pump then it makes sense to do a cambelt service.

 

[NickT]

Just noticed yours is an '04, hopefully you're still in the warranty period?

 

[dainott2105]

right mines an 04 LC and water pump went about 2 months ago.
symptoms with me were:
I was on the motorway and temp started creeping up and turbo cut out (safety measure), pulled over straight away and let it cool down. pulled off and drove at about 40 with the heaters on hot/full power and temp was ok. once above 40 temp started creeping again. took my time and got it home without cooking it. went out late the same night to try and get some info by driving close to my house. found that driving about below 40 mph temperature was fine and even sitting with the engine idling the gauge didnt move (sat there for a good 15 mins, but in no doubt that it would over heat eventually). took it for a spin, got above 40-45 and because the plastic propeller had shattered into the water system there was no way of pumping the water through the system and temp went up again. I was really puzzled at first as to why it was overheating cos thought that with more cold air being pushed in the front it would be cooler
but no pump = slow speeds pump aint really needed (over a very short peiod of time), but as soon as u get the revs up temp goes up.

I searched on flea bay and got a new tt one (metal propellor blade) for £30 and thank god the old man fitted it when i was in work (really wanted to have a go but no time). reckons that it was a good 6 hours labour (thank god hes got a garage business)
Hope this helps mate
p.s dont forget to fish all the little plastic bits out.
p.p.s i spoke to my stealership and mine was 5 months out of warranty and they werent interested in doing it. Guy did say that if it was more like 2 then he might have been able to do something (but would have been another plastic one)

 

[Dom Sweeten]

Just noticed yours is an '04, hopefully you're still in the warranty period?

It's actually a 53 (Jan '04) plate so just out of waranty

I have read most of the search results and it looks like it is prob the water pump but wanted to know if I can have a look at it to see for sure before I buy one.

If it has split or whatever then is it obvious?

 

[Dom Sweeten]

Sorry, have read post 5 so will check it out.

 

[NickT]

Pump has to be removed to visually inspect, it's mounted in the block, driven off the cambelt.
Mine was diagnosed by the lack of flow through the return to the header tank when the engine was revved, as per the link I sent.
Sorry to hear you're out of warranty, have seen a variation in prices quoted on here so worth phoning around, just make sure you're getting a new water pump with a metal impellor and a proper cambelt service including the tensioner.

 

[Dom Sweeten]

cheers guys

 

[NickT]

Sorry, last sentance should read ...cambelt service including tensioners & rollers.

JBS web site quotes 370 quid inc VAT for cam belt & water pump.
Off the top of my head that's about what I paid at VAGtech.