RIP ABS Pump

OCDboy · 04-23-2007, 03:14 PM

I was leaving my office Friday, mid day to head out to a Porsche Club DE and Race weekend. As I turned out of the parking garage downtown and came to the first light...my brake suddenly went mushy.

I thought maybe I had air in the line or something and didn't think to much of it. But stopped in a parking lot next to the highway for a quick inspection. No fluid on the ground that I could see, nothing in the wheels...hmmm. Figured it would be OK to drive on out to the track and bleed the system since it needed to be done anyway (must be air in the system 'eh?)

Anyway...took it easy and drove the 70 miles down the highway to Topeka, KS. Got off the highway with still functioning but very mushy brakes.

Dropped by a buddy's garage at the track and we started bleeding the brakes. When we made our way to the front left...when we removed the wheel I was greeted with a big puddle of brake fluid. First denial set in and we thought we'd spilled some fluid when filling the reservoir. But no...some research indicated fluid dripping down from the ABS unit. 'doh! This is not good! The consensus was the ABS pump had let go and was leaking.

I tried locating a part within a 4 state area but apparently there are several variations of the pumps and none were available. Ordered new pump from the dealer Friday and should be in tomorrow. ($470 with my club discount).

To be on the safe side we ended up loading the car on a friend's trailer and took it home Friday night.

I have a pretty good idea of what to do for the swap...should be fairly straight forward with a good bleed and ABS pump cycle to clear any air out. I'll be sure to take plenty of pics and do a decent procedure to share.

Now, this brake system has been used fairly extensively from a "few days" at the track. But to have a system instantly and suddenly start leaking with no ABS light like that is a little bit of a surprise. Any thoughts on that?

4Driver4 · 04-23-2007, 03:22 PM

OCDboy · 04-23-2007, 03:45 PM

Was race stewards assistant...helped run the races from race control. Had some 'exciting' moments. First time doing that so it was a learning experience.

Bummer not getting any track time :-(

**Kris Hansen** · 04-23-2007, 04:28 PM

RLG · 04-23-2007, 05:15 PM

Your ABS pump knew the punishment it was in for and killed itself.

GBW · 04-23-2007, 05:17 PM

OCDboy · 04-23-2007, 05:41 PM

OCDboy · 04-23-2007, 05:47 PM

Appears to be from where the pump mates with the ABS body. Pic is hard to see the inspection mirror but the electrical connections at the bottom of the pump are wet.

And this is from sitting since Friday night...little trail of fluid running all the way to the garage door!

Edd W · 04-24-2007, 05:55 AM

and will not run dry at all.

Ideally, pressurised bleeding is best because that will most likely fully prime the pump on its own.

I do not know of a way of ensuring the pump is fully primed before powewring it up for the first time.

04-23-2007, 03:14 PM	#1
OCDboy AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 76151 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,955	RIP ABS Pump I was leaving my office Friday, mid day to head out to a Porsche Club DE and Race weekend. As I turned out of the parking garage downtown and came to the first light...my brake suddenly went mushy. I thought maybe I had air in the line or something and didn't think to much of it. But stopped in a parking lot next to the highway for a quick inspection. No fluid on the ground that I could see, nothing in the wheels...hmmm. Figured it would be OK to drive on out to the track and bleed the system since it needed to be done anyway (must be air in the system 'eh?) Anyway...took it easy and drove the 70 miles down the highway to Topeka, KS. Got off the highway with still functioning but very mushy brakes. Dropped by a buddy's garage at the track and we started bleeding the brakes. When we made our way to the front left...when we removed the wheel I was greeted with a big puddle of brake fluid. First denial set in and we thought we'd spilled some fluid when filling the reservoir. But no...some research indicated fluid dripping down from the ABS unit. 'doh! This is not good! The consensus was the ABS pump had let go and was leaking. I tried locating a part within a 4 state area but apparently there are several variations of the pumps and none were available. Ordered new pump from the dealer Friday and should be in tomorrow. ($470 with my club discount). To be on the safe side we ended up loading the car on a friend's trailer and took it home Friday night. I have a pretty good idea of what to do for the swap...should be fairly straight forward with a good bleed and ABS pump cycle to clear any air out. I'll be sure to take plenty of pics and do a decent procedure to share. Now, this brake system has been used fairly extensively from a "few days" at the track. But to have a system instantly and suddenly start leaking with no ABS light like that is a little bit of a surprise. Any thoughts on that? __________________ '01 A6 2.7T 6-spd (Ming Blue, Cold, Sport, Premium), 2 x K04, APR Downpipe & Cat-back (where did I leave the Cats anyway?), Bi-pipe, Forge Diverter Valves, Snub Mount, AWE Fueling Kit, RS4 Intercoolers, Stoptech 332 BBK, RS4 Clutch Kit, AWE DTS, Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, H-sport swaybars, Setrab 12x9 Oil cooler with Mocal 180deg adapter plate, 18x8 RS4 DTM Wheels Falken FK-452 (235/40/18), Track: 17" Flik Lex Wheels with Falken rt-615 245/45/17, B&M Short Shift Kit, Samco hose kit, Forge DV's, RS6 Fender Liners, hella smoked tails. Dyno results 371whp/411wtq!!! Other Rides '03 Mini Cooper--Mama's Ride '87 4000 CSQ--Under construction Past Rides '86 Coupe GT--Tornado Red! '98 Jetta TDI, aka "Chitty-chitty, Bang-bang" (Gone but not forgotten) '86 CSQ--gave it's life so other could live (chop, chop) Kansas City Chapter Website Kansas City Audi Yahoo Group--Local News and Info

04-23-2007, 03:22 PM	#2
4Driver4 Tech Guru Account #: 43812 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 27,957	Never heard of that. Did you get to drive or did you have to bag the event? __________________ 4Driver4 "Never give up the throttle until the bitter end." -RC 1990 Coupe Q 1999 A6 Sedan Q 2.8 2000 A4 Avant Q 2.8 1995 Mazda Miata: the anti-Audi 1999 Mazda Miata: Track beotch 1999 Chevy Suburban: the anti-earth :-( 1990 Nissan Pickup: Snow plow/garbage hauler 1981 VW Scirocco: the car I shouldn't own

04-23-2007, 03:45 PM	#3
OCDboy AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 76151 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,955	Bagged the driving...but Was race stewards assistant...helped run the races from race control. Had some 'exciting' moments. First time doing that so it was a learning experience. Bummer not getting any track time :-( __________________ '01 A6 2.7T 6-spd (Ming Blue, Cold, Sport, Premium), 2 x K04, APR Downpipe & Cat-back (where did I leave the Cats anyway?), Bi-pipe, Forge Diverter Valves, Snub Mount, AWE Fueling Kit, RS4 Intercoolers, Stoptech 332 BBK, RS4 Clutch Kit, AWE DTS, Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, H-sport swaybars, Setrab 12x9 Oil cooler with Mocal 180deg adapter plate, 18x8 RS4 DTM Wheels Falken FK-452 (235/40/18), Track: 17" Flik Lex Wheels with Falken rt-615 245/45/17, B&M Short Shift Kit, Samco hose kit, Forge DV's, RS6 Fender Liners, hella smoked tails. Dyno results 371whp/411wtq!!! Other Rides '03 Mini Cooper--Mama's Ride '87 4000 CSQ--Under construction Past Rides '86 Coupe GT--Tornado Red! '98 Jetta TDI, aka "Chitty-chitty, Bang-bang" (Gone but not forgotten) '86 CSQ--gave it's life so other could live (chop, chop) Kansas City Chapter Website Kansas City Audi Yahoo Group--Local News and Info

04-23-2007, 04:28 PM	#4
Kris Hansen Chief of Goat control Account #: 20 Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 66,548,189	Where was it leaking from on the pump assembly?

04-23-2007, 05:15 PM	#5
RLG Member Account #: 83796 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,207	"a little bit of a surprise. Any thoughts on that?" Your ABS pump knew the punishment it was in for and killed itself. __________________

04-23-2007, 05:17 PM	#6
GBW AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 81787 Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 3,125	That was good.... __________________ 2001 A6 2.7t 6 Speed Manual (Ming Monster V.2.2): Ming Blue Pearl \| Melange Ambiente Interior \| Premium, Cold Weather, Sport and Preferred Luxury Packages Performance: GIAC X Chip \| Hotchkis H-Sport Sway Bars \| Audi Sport Suspension \| 4.2 Polished Sport Wheels 17x8 ET35 \| 235/45WR-17 Yokahama sDrive Tires\| Show: S6 Polished Aluminum Mirrors \| 4.2 Door Blades \| RS6 Spoiler \| Magnaflow Tips\| Hella Smoked Tails Comfort: Euro Blind Spot Mirror \| PhatNoise \| Auxiliary Cigarette Lighter \| Coin Holder 2000 A4 1.8t 5 Speed Manual (track beast): Light Silver Clearcoat \| Opal Gray Ambiente Interior \| quattro \| Sport Steering Wheel Performance: GIAC Chip \| PureMotorsports Front Stress Bar \| Hotchkis H-Sport Sway Bars \| Pimpin' A8 Polished 17x8 Wheels \| 225/45-17 BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Tires \| Comfort: PhatNoise \| OEM Heated Seats

04-23-2007, 05:41 PM	#7
OCDboy AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 76151 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,955	Sadly, I think you are correct sir! __________________ '01 A6 2.7T 6-spd (Ming Blue, Cold, Sport, Premium), 2 x K04, APR Downpipe & Cat-back (where did I leave the Cats anyway?), Bi-pipe, Forge Diverter Valves, Snub Mount, AWE Fueling Kit, RS4 Intercoolers, Stoptech 332 BBK, RS4 Clutch Kit, AWE DTS, Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, H-sport swaybars, Setrab 12x9 Oil cooler with Mocal 180deg adapter plate, 18x8 RS4 DTM Wheels Falken FK-452 (235/40/18), Track: 17" Flik Lex Wheels with Falken rt-615 245/45/17, B&M Short Shift Kit, Samco hose kit, Forge DV's, RS6 Fender Liners, hella smoked tails. Dyno results 371whp/411wtq!!! Other Rides '03 Mini Cooper--Mama's Ride '87 4000 CSQ--Under construction Past Rides '86 Coupe GT--Tornado Red! '98 Jetta TDI, aka "Chitty-chitty, Bang-bang" (Gone but not forgotten) '86 CSQ--gave it's life so other could live (chop, chop) Kansas City Chapter Website Kansas City Audi Yahoo Group--Local News and Info

04-23-2007, 05:47 PM	#8
OCDboy AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 76151 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,955	I didn't have pics earlier but now do... Appears to be from where the pump mates with the ABS body. Pic is hard to see the inspection mirror but the electrical connections at the bottom of the pump are wet. And this is from sitting since Friday night...little trail of fluid running all the way to the garage door! __________________ '01 A6 2.7T 6-spd (Ming Blue, Cold, Sport, Premium), 2 x K04, APR Downpipe & Cat-back (where did I leave the Cats anyway?), Bi-pipe, Forge Diverter Valves, Snub Mount, AWE Fueling Kit, RS4 Intercoolers, Stoptech 332 BBK, RS4 Clutch Kit, AWE DTS, Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, H-sport swaybars, Setrab 12x9 Oil cooler with Mocal 180deg adapter plate, 18x8 RS4 DTM Wheels Falken FK-452 (235/40/18), Track: 17" Flik Lex Wheels with Falken rt-615 245/45/17, B&M Short Shift Kit, Samco hose kit, Forge DV's, RS6 Fender Liners, hella smoked tails. Dyno results 371whp/411wtq!!! Other Rides '03 Mini Cooper--Mama's Ride '87 4000 CSQ--Under construction Past Rides '86 Coupe GT--Tornado Red! '98 Jetta TDI, aka "Chitty-chitty, Bang-bang" (Gone but not forgotten) '86 CSQ--gave it's life so other could live (chop, chop) Kansas City Chapter Website Kansas City Audi Yahoo Group--Local News and Info

04-24-2007, 05:55 AM	#9
Edd W Junior Member Account #: 41826 Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,611	Bleed the system manually prior to running the pump at all to make sure it has a fluid supply..... and will not run dry at all. Ideally, pressurised bleeding is best because that will most likely fully prime the pump on its own. I do not know of a way of ensuring the pump is fully primed before powewring it up for the first time. __________________ VW Touareg 06 30k 6spd 2.5Tdi - Wifey's new one, A4 was not big enough! A6 2.7t 01my 6spd Avant 51k miles A4 2.0FSi SE 03.8 22k miles - Wifey's new one - the golf was not luxurious enough. Sold 30/08/08 - gone to Heathrow. Golf Tdi 03.08 130pd, 6spd, 19k miles - Sold 8th November 2006 - gone to Coventry! A6 2.8q 98.11 115K miles - sold 20th Feb 2006 - gone to Kidderminster. 100 2.8q 92.1 147k miles - Sold 6th July 2004 - its new home is Edinburgh A4 1.6 97.8 99k miles - Sold 12th Feb 03 VW Golf Gti 86 22k miles 2.0 Oettinger 190bhp, lowered, lightened and quick and sold 23/03/08. Gone to Coventry.

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