I have a 2009 Octavia 1.8tsi LandK with a recently leaking coolant problem.The dealer says its the water pump and is quoting £600 for replacement.This sounds a lot,what do you think?

Thats waaaaay too high. I think theres a Skoda standard listed price for a cambelt and waterpump change (both are part of the same job) which is considerably lower that you can point them at. If you are changing the water pump then do the cambelt at the same time.

 

And that's the first time I've seen that advice in reverse

The 1.8TSI has a timing chain not a cambelt, and the water pump installation is far more complex than that in the previous 1.8T engine for which the above advice would be sound. The information below is from the Self Study Guide for the 2.0TSI engine but also applies to the 1.8TSI. I wouldn't be surprised at a £600 bill to replace the pump.

Coolant Pump

The coolant pump, temperature sensor, and coolant thermostat are integrated in a common housing made of duroplastic.

This housing is attached to the cylinder block below the intake manifold.

A drive gear at the end of the balance shaft drives the coolant pump via a toothed belt. The larger drive gear on the pump acts as a speed reducer. A fan wheel is attached to the coolant pump drive gear to cool the toothed belt.

The coolant pump impeller is made of plastic and has a special vane contour which permits high engine speeds with low risk of pump cavitation.

The thermostat begins to open at 203°F (95°C) and is fully open at 221°F (105°C).

Note

The tension of the coolant pump drive belt is defined by the installation position of the coolant pump and cannot be adjusted. In the event of coolant pump failure, the housing must also be replaced.

The toothed belt drive gear of the coolant pump has a left-hand thread.

Here is a quote from another thread about water pump replacement cost.

Well I got my 1.8 back from the dealer today having had a new water pump fitted as the one leakin had a distorted body causing the leak. I wonder how it got distorted as the engine has never overheated. I say the invoice for the warranty and it said £545 cost so glad I still in warranty. Had 3rd service and 1st MOT too as it was in the dealers. I asked about the coolant I should use if it leaks again and the I was shown the G13 stuff and they gave me a 1.5L bottle for free for my inconvenience which was appreciated.

To change the pump requires the belt/chain to come off which is why it's common to replace at belt change.

Hence belt change price for £100 part.

Ah ok, I stand corrected

huskoda / gadgetman

Your both mis-informed.

1.8tsi is a chain driven cam. The water pump is hidden away under the inlet manifold. There is no requirement to remove the cam chain.

I had the waterpump done at 110,000km. It was somewhat ironic that I got the chain engine so that I could save money not having to do the belt & it cost me about the same $$ at about the same time interval.

The job requires R&R of the inlet manifold. The pump impeller is usually what leaks & these are relatively cheap from the aftermarket - about AUD100 (about the price of a bad coffee at the V&A). If the housing is warped then the parts is about AUD650 down here but we get ripped off on VW parts so it's probably about the same cost as a leg of lamb in the UK - call 95quid +VAT.

I had the full housing plus impeller & a couple of pipes/hoses done recently. My mech refused to just do the impeller because if it leaked it was on his warranty to go back in & do it again. He charged me AUD1250 which is like GBP730 (being sensible now). While he had the inlet off he sprayed some decarbonising spray on the valves & made a half-hearted attempt to clean them. It went much better afterwards.

something weird going on with the formatting -apologies if it looks like I took a deep breath & said all that in one go

I've got the same problem as you - coolant leak, water pump needs replacing.

They also picked up faults with boost and the intake runner flaps.. I suppose they would be looked at when the manifold is off for the pump replacement.

 

This may well be an expensive month for the car - major dealer service (where they found these faults) including brake fluid change, four new tyres and now this 

 

 

Rodard, did you get your pump replaced in the end??

Edited 12 December, 201312 yr by clamberer