Auxiliary coolant pump failure

[Ranger]

Anyone experienced a failure of this component on the 1.6TDi engine?

 

I didn't even know this even existed on the car but within ten miles of a service, the engine defaulted to limp mode and the diagnosis is that this has failed and the replacement cost, inc labour, is circa 300 notes.

 

Whether co-incidence that it had just been into the dealer or not, the cooling system has been a source of continuing trouble from day one, it's consistently lost coolant, albeit slowly, until a weeping thermostat housing was diagnosed as the ultimate cause having been investigated at every service for four years, had a water pump replaced and been pressure tested twice along the way before this was finally arrived at as the problem (by which time it was out of warranty of course!). In fairness, the dealer and Skoda covered most of the cost under goodwill but just six months on, we now have more cooling system woes.

 

Anyone have any ideas on whether £300 is  reasonable cost? Part is around £120+VAT according to a local specialist, estimated fitting time is 2hrs which suggests its not far wide of the mark.

 

After dieselgate and now this ongoing problem having dented my faith in the indestructible nature of their cars, I'm beginning to wonder if the planned replacement of my Audi should be with another VW group car?

[SuperbTWM]

Most of the modern TDi engines have this aux. coolant pump and I have not seen any mention of a failure on here so it can't be that common. Doesn't mean it can't fail though.

 

If you change it yourself you will cut your cost in half straight away. 

 

As for the other issue, a leaking thermostat housing is hardly a big issue, there are lots more expensive problems to have but I understand your frustration having the dealer take so long to diagnose it.

[edinoz]

Any ideas on where I would find a step by step guide to replacing this pump on an

Octavia Vrs II.

I have one ready to go in.

regards

Ed