Got my VR6 last November, come December theres coolant ****ing from the pump. I remove the pump (looked to be the original VW pump) to replace with a Euro Car Parts item. February comes round and again water making an exit from the little valve on the pump. I grab another pump from a local motor factor as I need the car running asap. Alls fine until yesterday - water releasing from the little valve bit on the pump. I'm going on a trackday tomorrow so I need a pump ASAP so its going to have to be another motor factor job. So this will be my 3rd replacement waterpump in 7 months. Otherwise the car is fine, no overheating (usually sits just below 100), no pressurised coolant system (pipes dont go rock hard indicative of HGF). The pumps always go in fine and look straight etc. I always used the VW pink coolant except last time I used cheapo blue stuff as it was all I could get. Can I really just be suffering inferior quality parts? The original VW pump lasted 100k miles, I would prefer to replace with one but I can't wait that long to get one. Anyone else experienced this???! Thanks.
I always go for Genuine VW OEM parts. I changed my pump at 70k and has been perfect for the last 11k. In fact I don't think it needed replacing at all. I would guess it is down to the quality of 3rd party pumps, there is no other explanation than that. The valve will start to emit coolant as the pump wears out. In fact the VW OEM pumps are 30-ish and other 3rd party pumps are roughly the same price, hence there is no decision to be made ! As for putting blue coolant in that really is a no no ! Unless it is autumn / winter then it would've been better to run just pure deionised water than that for a very short period.
stop buying crap pumps!! buy a genuine one, and whilst it's out inspect the block and where the or ing seats, i bet it's corroded. if it is, try using a little hylomar on the sealing surfaces, as well as a new o ring.
Thanks everyone for confirming my thoughts that it can only be the pump at fault. I have used a light skim of silicone sealant on the seal in the past to ensure a good seal, I imagine hylomar may do a better job. Unfortunately due to time pressures (trackday tomorrow) another new cr@p one is going in tonight. Technically i've only ever paid for one pump, ECP refunded no questions and the motor factor swapped it today no questions hence me thinking it must be a frequent occurence. I'm going to get a VAG one ordered and keep it on the shelf for the next (hopefully last) time it goes......
