Audi VW V6 & V8 Water Pump Coolant Leaks

Are you experiencing a coolant leak soon after a timing belt and water pump replacement? We understand the frustration our customers feel when they have a coolant leak soon after installing one of our BLAU Timing Belt Kits. Often when problems arise, such as a coolant leak, the new water pump is blamed as the cause. Please do not be quick to assume it is the water pump. Blauparts supplies the highest quality, factory-tested water pumps manufactured by Graf Italy, an OEM component supplier. There are several steps in determining the cause of the coolant leak that should be followed before a 'defective' water pump diagnosis can be made. Please have your ASE-certified Audi VW mechanic verify and diagnose the following.

 Application: Audi VW water pumps for V6 and V8 engines from 1992 to 2007

Part Numbers: GH21110, GH21111, GH21112, GH21113, GH21116, GH21117, GH21118, GH21119, and GH21132 Timing Belt Kits (Enhanced and Enhanced +)

Customer Scenario:

"My water pump is bad. I just installed your timing belt kit and now I have a coolant leak. What are you going to do for me?"

Group 1 - Begin your coolant leak diagnoses.

1. Remove your Audi Vw splash pan from the bottom of your car.

2. Confirm what location the coolant leak is coming from e.g. front, middle, or back of the engine.

3. If it is NOT dripping down from the front of the engine or the front of the engine oil pan it is NOT the water pump. Check for coolant hose leaks behind the engine or below the coolant fill tank (a.k.a. expansion tank) etc.

Group 2 - If there is leakage coming from these front areas, continue with the next inspection group.

1. Run the engine and bring it to operating temperature. Answer these questions as you observe the engine running:

2. When looking at the front, is the coolant dripping continuously down on the front of the engine oil pan while the car is running?

3. How significant is the coolant leak?

4. Is the coolant just residue that was captured in an engine block crevice or cavity from a coolant spill when the old water pump was removed?

5. If the coolant is dripping continuously while the engine is running, put the vehicle in the service position and remove the serpentine belt and both timing belt engine covers to inspect the following areas.

IMPORTANT NOTE: At this stage, please don't be quick to assume the Audi VW water pump is bad. It still could be one of the three common reasons noted in the following section.

Group 3 - Check the thermostat housing for leaks.

1. On some models this housing is made of plastic. There may be a hairline crack, almost invisible to the eye, that has developed due to the cover being removed and then reinstalled during thermostat replacement.

2. Was the thermostat installed in the right direction, and not backward?

3. If the thermostat was installed backward, the thermostat will put uneven pressure on the thermostat housing causing the o-ring not to seal.

4. Another thing to check is the thermostat housing o-ring. Was the o-ring sealing grove on the engine block cleaned properly and was all previous build-up of calcified mineral scale removed from the o-ring sealing groove. Many mechanics are in a hurry to save time in repairing your car and overlook these details as noted in our step-by-step instructions.

Group 4 - Inspect the perimeter area of the water pump for leaks.

1. Check the gasket seal on the water pump itself to see if coolant is leaking from around the perimeter of the water pump.

2. Note that a fiber gasket was included with your new water pump for sealing in between the pump and engine block.

3. Was rubberized RTV gasket sealer used on the engine block, water pump, water pump gasket, or thermostat housing gasket mount?

4. Some mechanics use RTV gasket sealer in conjunction with the fiber gaskets as standard procedure. However, this is wrong! In most cases, using such material will cause a coolant leak at one or multiple locations on the gasket sealing area. Professional mechanics are trained to not use this material. It is important to pay attention to and follow our instructions, along with the manufacturer's installation instructions. Sealing agents (RTV form-a-gasket silicone, aerosol adhesives, or sealants) should not be used. Professional mechanics will spend the extra time required to properly clean the water pump gasket and thermostat o-ring surfaces thoroughly, rather than using RTV sealant, a "quick fix solution".

5. Regarding how to perform the important water pump installation and repair steps mentioned above, see our video link below on how to properly install an Audi VW water pump.

Group 5 - Finally, check the water pump 'weep plug' hole: (See Image)

1. The weep plug hole is located behind the water pump pulley and may be covered with what looks like a silver round disc. The pumps we send out say 'Tested'on the silver disc. They keep contamination out of the 'weep plug' hole. For information on where to find this water pump weep hole, please see the information linked below.

2. It is not uncommon for a new water pump to have some slight leakage or seepage of coolant from the discharge hole (weep plug) below the water pump pulley shortly after startup. This is because the unique seal material in the new water pump is designed to "bed in" as the impeller shaft spins.

3. Slight weeping or dampness from or around the discharge hole, or the silver metal disc covering the plug, is allowable for at least 100 miles after installation and should not be attributed to a 'defective' water pump.

4. If the leaking keeps on after 100 miles, THEN you probably have a defective water pump. This is the only true sign of a 'defective' water pump vs leaks that are due to improper surface prep or installation errors. If the weep plug is leaking there will be corrosion and leakage around and under this small silver disc. Call us for an immediate warranty replacement.