MK5 water pumps.

[Aleks.B]

Has anyone else had this problem. We were driving down henry lawson's drive when it suddenly started overheating, initially we thought it was the head gasket but when we called VW they immidiatly said it was the water pump, $1000 all up to get repaired:(. Am curious if this has happened to anyone else?

[Justin Fox]

Has anyone else had this problem. We were driving down henry lawson's drive when it suddenly started overheating, initially we thought it was the head gasket but when we called VW they immidiatly said it was the water pump, $1000 all up to get repaired:(. Am curious if this has happened to anyone else?

I assume this is on the car you're selling too?!?!?!?!?

[STOIE]

Wow sure hope thats not common, not a nice thing at all.

Good thing your doing though, I would be researching the crap out of that

[Aleks.B]

Ye it is, was a very sudden thing I was surpirised when it happened. I think its cause these cars arent suited towards this hot climate.

[Howie]

Hmm I don't think it's because of our climate. The water pump does not fail because of our temperature. It must've been a mechanical failure of the pump.

[GKGT]

New to the site, posting this to tell you what I just learnt while searching for information I found this thread.
So from what I just found out today guys the water pumps on the Series 1 Golf Mk5 are indeed a problem.
I'm no mechanic but according to the one mechanic I trust for advice (I have a Mk5 TSI GT which has just had a water pump failure while in the hands of a VW Service Centre).
It's not our climate or the viscosity of the coolant or any other excuse you may here.

The water pumps on the Mk5 have "plastic impellers" they are not, as you would expect "metal". These (platic ones) wear and eventually dissolve into the coolant and fail.
Keep an eye on your coolant level (don't wait for the warning light) and if it is dropping even marginally between services get it change as soon as possible.
That's what I was recommended to do (the part can be sourced I believe for about 60-80AUD from the UK or as I have been fortunate enough, should be replaced under warranty direct from VW Germany who I suspect know this is a problem).

[Seph]

Guys, as general precaution, a lot of people replace the water pump when they do the timing belt.

I've just had mine done on my A3 2.0T.

[lliszabailey]

If there's no leak, an overheat is caused by a problem with coolant level, auto parts (http://www.thepartsbin.com/autoparts/) malfunction,coolant circulation, or heat transfer. Fill the coolant level. If the problem recurs within a month, it was something other than low level. Circulation problems are caused by clogged radiators, bad water pumps, non-functioning thermostats. Squeezing the hose on the outlet side of the thermostat reveals whether the thermostat is opening and closing, which is a sign of normal functioning. On cars where it's non-destructive to run without a thermostat (typically older, non-computerized cars), it may be informative to run without a thermostat for a couple days. If the problem was thermostat-caused, the car will run cool as a cucumber. If the cause was elsewhere, it will overheat even without a thermostat (though it may take a little longer to overheat).

Clogged radiators can often be detected visually. Often bad water pumps can be detected by feeling for play in the shaft, and manually turning and feeling for resistance. Always remember to check the effectiveness of the water pump belt.

Heat transfer problems are caused by insufficient air flow to the radiator (check fan, shroud, bugs/debree on radiator or on air conditioner heat exhanger in front of it). They can also be caused by oxidation/deposits inside the engine, which usually causes "hot spots" that are very hard to detect. Serious overheating in heavy traffic but not in open driving is an indication to investigate the fan, fan clutch or motor or relay, or shroud. Some cars have two fans, and both should be on if the engine is hot.

Lisza Bailey
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dealer: organizer:coordinator

[GTom]

I had my water pump replaced only due to a "squeal" when the supercharger kicked in.