A4 B6 Timing belt Due to Waterpump failure?

**bengee23** · 11-14-2008 12:48 PM

Hi i am am pretty new here, but have been searching the threads for a while trying to search for information on this subject. What I am trying to find out is if the timing belt usually fails due to the water pump failing? Does anyone know if this is the case? I am asking because I purchased a vehicle and about 11k miles ago they had the water pump replaced( with oem plastic impeller :( ) Anyways I am trying to see if having a new water pump will lengthening the life of the timing belt itself? I know that Audi recommended changing the belt about 75-100k. But I have heard that the plastic impeller on the water pump was the reason the reason for failure not the belt itself. I have 76k, but the water pump was changed at 65k, so does that mean I am less likely to have the timing belt fail since the water pump is new? I plan on putting in a new, metal impeller water pump, etc but like the saying goes if it aint broke don't fix it right? I would be safe for driving at least another 10-15k without worrying about the t-belt correct?
Well any help/knowledge/insight would help me out a lot. Thanks.

**rocketheavy** · 11-14-2008 01:22 PM

do the whole t belt/waterpump swap yourself. its easy. there are a few DIY threads on here. Thats how I did mine.

**AudiA4_20T** · 11-14-2008 01:24 PM

That is usually why they fail... If you have the tools and can DIY, you can PM me and I can walk you through it, its relatively easy just very tedious

**rocketheavy** · 11-14-2008 01:34 PM

^ X2

**A4twin** · 11-14-2008 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by rocketheavy

do the whole t belt/waterpump swap yourself. its easy. there are a few DIY threads on here. Thats how I did mine.

2nd that...very easy, if you have to take pics of where things go do it but there is a good DIY here that is what i used also i used ecs tuning kit just call them with your vin # so u get the right kit. took me 4 hours start to finish. i paid about 280 bucks instead of 1200 that a shop wanted

**jackyaudi** · 11-14-2008 02:24 PM

I did it with a friend, the front on my 2002 was a bitch to remove. We did not even remove it completely, so it was rough to work on it with the radiator hanging all over the place. Make sure to mark the TB coz u dont want to miss a tooth. I did get a water pump with the iron impeller and also replaced the hydrolic tensioner, serpentine belt, roller bearing, etc.

While at it u can also change spark plugs, Coil packs (if they are not Revision L), air filter, oil change, clean the MAF, get a new fuel filter

**wolfdog** · 11-14-2008 02:58 PM

Yes, plastic impeller is probably a more common reason the timing belt fails. If your was replaced at 65k and you're at 75k, I wouldn't worry about it for a while. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't do the whole job when doing the water pump but whatever. I would say get it changed at 100k the latest, preferably around your theorized 10k to 15k miles.

**bengee23** · 11-14-2008 03:04 PM

Thanks guys, i appreciate the info. I would have thought that they changed the belt when they changed the water pump, but i didn't see it on the invoice. There was only water pump and coolant on the list of parts, and repairs. what would be a tell tell sign that the belt was the same one? Also is the water pump driven with the timing belt, or the serpentine belt? Thanks again.

**Capt. Obvious** · 11-14-2008 03:08 PM

What everyone is forgetting to mention here is that if you're doing the work to replace the water pump you might as well replace the timing belt too since it's only a ~$35 part, but requires a significant amount of work to get to in order to replace. Also, $35 is pretty cheap when you consider the fact that a snapped timing belt will easily cost you $1200 minimum, often twice that or more.