F'ing Great News

[jrodpikap]

Driving down the highway today and the A4 starts to overheat and I get the Temperture warning light. So I pull over a few times and make my way to the nearest mechanic, not too far from my house (that's the good part). I thought it was going to be a thermostat or something small, because the coolant was full and pretty new.

Get the call today and it looks like I need the following: Water Pump, Timing Belt, Radiator and Thermostat (I was part right)! Total = $1,400.00.

That actually doesn't sound too bad for alll that labor, but I wasn't sure because all of the Water Pump experience i've had when one goes is that it literally breaks and leaks coolant all over the place. That didn't happen so I'm a little curious to know how they came to that determination.

Anyway, I was just wondering if any of you have run into this before, do these symptoms sound right? Or could it be something simple like just a thermostat?

[hoganalley]

the only thing I can think of if the car kept running was perhaps the rad, thermostat and pump. It could very well be that the pump is seized and it's not flowing coolant, but you'd see damage done other places as well---maybe a stretched belt.....

Other parts sound about right......

[jrodpikap]

Yeah, I haven't run into anything like this on my audi yet, so i'm not really sure, but it doesn't sound like it's too ridiculous, so I think I can give them the benefit of doubt.

I'm in the process of finding the parts I need on ECS or somewhere so I can hopefully get the cost down a little.

the only thing I can think of if the car kept running was perhaps the rad, thermostat and pump. It could very well be that the pump is seized and it's not flowing coolant, but you'd see damage done other places as well---maybe a stretched belt.....

Other parts sound about right......

[zrowcool]

dude i think hes lubin up right now to prepare for you. timing belt, water pump, and thermostat i could see you needing especially since thats part of the mile service but the radiator? radiators dont go bad unless they have a hole, as long as u flush it it would be fine. if you have any tools and an available weekend you can do the timing belt, water pump, and thermostat yourself for like 300 bucks or even less. i did all that plus the accessory belts in 6hrs my first time.

[B5A4Kevin]

it needs a water pump and timing belt only (along with tensioner, idler, and serp belts). unless its leaking, the radiator is fine. the thermostat is a fuckin cake walk to do. your mechanic most likely wants to cover all the bases and make sure everything is replaced, that way, its fixed for sure. im surprised he didnt throw in a heater core and coolant flange as well.

our water pumps have a retarded ass plastic impeller, which is what breaks. it doesnt leak externally, and it doesnt "stretch the belt." the shit just breaks off the pulley and the pully free-wheels while the impeller just sits there not flowing coolant. this is why it overheats. when you replace it, make sure to get an aftermarket water pump (napa) as it has a metal impeller rather than the oem plastic catastro-fuck.

my advice to you if you are mechanically inclined is to get the t-belt kit w/ water pump, as well as the thermostat, seal, and coolant, along with a 12-pack, and do it yourself. theres a few diy's floating around as well as the 5-min time lapse video which is pretty nifty. good luck bro and make sure to double check the timing!

[jrodpikap]

Radiator is leaking at the seam, not that i've noticed, but that's the story.

dude i think hes lubin up right now to prepare for you. timing belt, water pump, and thermostat i could see you needing especially since thats part of the mile service but the radiator? radiators dont go bad unless they have a hole, as long as u flush it it would be fine. if you have any tools and an available weekend you can do the timing belt, water pump, and thermostat yourself for like 300 bucks or even less. i did all that plus the accessory belts in 6hrs my first time.

[hoganalley]

our water pumps have a retarded ass plastic impeller, which is what breaks. it doesnt leak externally, and it doesnt "stretch the belt." the shit just breaks off the pulley and the pully free-wheels while the impeller just sits there not flowing coolant. this is why it overheats.

That's what I thought....I couldn't remember that impeller part.......

but they are right. If you've never done it before, to do all that stuff is 8hrs max. I've done my own, and I will always do my own......

[Poopie]

pm sent. I can swap all those parts for you. let me know

[AudiA4_20T]

pm sent. I can swap all those parts for you. let me know

yea man, save yourself the $500

[InTTruder]

Get an OEM metal water pump impeller. See www.dieselgeek.com for the best options.

[AudiA4_20T]

Get an OEM metal water pump impeller. See www.dieselgeek.com for the best options.

Pretty much all people that offer the kit offer it with the metal impeller. The ECS kit sucks though

[jrodpikap]

Yeah, it was quoted with a Water Pump with a Metal impeller. I think the only place you can get a WP with a plastic impeller is the f'ing Audi plant.

[B5A4Kevin]

Yeah, it was quoted with a Water Pump with a Metal impeller. I think the only place you can get a WP with a plastic impeller is the f'ing Audi plant.

but trust me, the plastic impeller is a way better design. i mean just ask the engineers. they'll tell you....

[jrodpikap]

I requested a Water Pump made of entirely cardboard, but the dealership is on back-order for that particular design, so I have to go with the metal.