jensen_jenniferl

So I finally got the diagnostics back on my car. It is the auxiliary water pump. Apparantly the not so bright mechanic I took it to before, did not do a high powered flush on my cooling system before replacing the primary water pump. I talked to Audi, ANY mechanic should know to do this when replacing the water pump because of excess debris that gets lodged in the hoses. This is not just with Audi's or foreign cars. This should be done on any car, any time the water pump goes out and needs to be replaced. And apparantly the primary water pump just flushed all the debris back to my auxiliary water pump. I wanted to post this so maybe I can save someone else from having to pay another $800 plus parts to replace it. I would double check the mechanic and ask him what his process will be in when doing the labor. Make sure he recites back to you that he is going to do a high powered flush. Well I know for next time and hope this helps someone else out.

jensen_jenniferl

How hard would it be to replace the auxiliary water pump on my own? From my understanding the aux water pump sits underneath the intake manifold. Any special tools needed to do these repairs? Anyone have any site suggestions where I could possibly locate do it yourself instructions that include diagrams????

4Driver4

I think you're being too hard on the mechanic. The aux coolant pump has been a failure point for years. Blaming it on your mechanic is a real stretch.

4Driver4

Very. It's under the intake manifold. That's why the leak was hard to find.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

I agree. Replacing a primary water pump during scheduled maintenance does not require a high pressure flush. Only if you have reason to believe there is crap in the primary water pump cavity.

And yes, I read the blauparts tech article...some truth to it, but if the aux water pump wasn't failed when you did the water pump and there was no reason to believe crap was in there the flush wouldn't be necessary.

Airbag

wait isnt there a big coolant plate or some type of manifold on the back of the engine that coolant goes through and some have been known to corode right through ? thought i saw a thread on this last year .. the guy showed a pic and it showed a giant maanifold plate or something like that coroded right through and coolant was dumping out everywhere.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

IIRC it was the rear main bearing mounting plate....strange failure. But corrosion in aluminum engines can take place in strange places...pays to change coolant every few years.

Airbag

Yes John that is exactly what it was I am thinking we have the same thing here if it is coming out that fast ..

rocketman4321

To clarify 4Driver4's reply, replacement of the aux pump has a lot of steps and requires lots of patience, organization, and good labeling. There's a lot of disconnecting to get at the pump. But it progresses; it's not a fight-one-thing PITA, like my current favorite, the front suspension (pinch bolt). It also doesn't require specialty tools, like timing belt. But you'll be disconnecting several dozen hoses, pipes, and connectors and removing the intake manifold. Start early in the weekend.