Water pump leak

[killerkali]

Just recently i had a pool of pinkish fluid leak somewhere in the front of the motor, straight onto the oil pan and it dripped right off the center of the pan. I really cant even peek to determine the leak, but im almost 100% its the water pump/thermostat housing leaking . Nothing else coolant wise in the front that could leak besides the rad obviously right? Im due for a timing belt, so i have to tear it apart anyways but would like some firsthand opinions incase it could be something else! Also it isn't the afterun pump or anything top of the motor, definitely front of the engine

[The_Auto_Tech]

The thermostat housings on these cars almost NEVER leak or fail. More than likely you've got a water pump leaking if it's running straight down the front, very common. If you're feeling spendy you can get an aluminum thermostat housing from a 12V 2.8 for about 100 bucks. I guess it's just peace of mind more than anything. I would highly suggest to do your camshaft seals while you're doing the timing belt as it's crossover time.

[alm001]

The thermostat housings on these cars almost NEVER leak or fail. More than likely you've got a water pump leaking if it's running straight down the front, very common. If you're feeling spendy you can get an aluminum thermostat housing from a 12V 2.8 for about 100 bucks. I guess it's just peace of mind more than anything. I would highly suggest to do your camshaft seals while you're doing the timing belt as it's crossover time.

The plastic tstat housings crack from old age. Mine just went recently.

[The_Auto_Tech]

The plastic tstat housings crack from old age. Mine just went recently.

Like I said, ALMOST never. It's plastic so yes, it can crack.

[DiscoPotato]

The thermostat housings on these cars almost NEVER leak or fail. More than likely you've got a water pump leaking if it's running straight down the front, very common. If you're feeling spendy you can get an aluminum thermostat housing from a 12V 2.8 for about 100 bucks. I guess it's just peace of mind more than anything. I would highly suggest to do your camshaft seals while you're doing the timing belt as it's crossover time.

Are you kidding? The plastic housings suck and always leak!

[The_Auto_Tech]

Are you kidding? The plastic housings sick and always leak!

Apparently you guys are the only ones that have had them leak. I work for a VW/Audi dealer and have NEVER fixed a leaking thermostat housing on a 2.8 or 2.7T yet.

[DiscoPotato]

They mostly leak after a thermostat job. Or when you remove the housing at all. The face where it meets the thermostat gasket is delicate from years of use.

[The_Auto_Tech]

They mostly leak after a thermostat job. Or when you remove the housing at all. The face where it meets the thermostat gasket is delicate.

Exactly. I'm talking cars that have had no prior touching of the housing.

[ride1157]

My car came from the factory with a aluminum housing, some of the 2.7t's came with plastic and some with aluminum. On my old s4 the housing was plastic and i had to replace it because it gave out when doing the thermostat job. If you are due for a tbelt job you might as well change all this stuff and you will be worry free for a little while. :)