The Mk3 Octavia TDI water pump thread

[mbames]

Mines going back in for a "diagnostic".  As the pump is just under 2 years old, it should be covered by their parts and warranty.... assuming they accept it is the fault of the pump.

£144 for the diagnostic, which as far as I can see involves reading the fault codes.  #simplythieves

[pncarrerars]

Year of registration 2013
Engine 2.0 tdi
Mileage when fault occurred  44375

No warning, heater stopped working, "Check engine coolant!", had lost all water. Luckily having seen this thread I had the parts in stock. Main water pump bearings were shot, cam belt/tensioner & pullys were like new. Talking to other people this problem has persisted since at least the time of the MK4 golf. I suspect that VW/Skoda are well aware of this fault which is why they recommend such an early and unnecessary cam belt change in the hope that customers will get the pump changed at the same time. A very stupid design where the failure of the water pump can easily result in total engine destruction if it causes the cam belt to slip. Put it on the outside of the engine where it belongs in a non critical and easily servicable position.

[Novakp]

Such a common fault shame on  Skoda for not doing recall, had mine done December 2018, dealer pretended first time they heard about this issue....what a joke.

 

Still like my car

[Superhero572]

• Year of registration: October 2014
• Engine: 1.6 TDI
• Mileage when fault occurred: around 170 000km (106k miles)
• Dealer name & response: Authorized Skoda Service in Finland, took week to fix, because they ordered parts. Did change timing belt too, because it would need to be changed at 210 000km or fall 2020. I did pay everything myself (700€), even though the water pump broke down 40,000km/1 year ”too early”.

[zslevi]

On 27/07/2018 at 17:18, wyx087 said:

The code on the new water pump that was installed to my car Sep 2017 is 04L 121 011 L. 

 

I beleive the last letter is the revision number. 

 

Attached is the photo of my old water pump. You can see the shredded insides. 

The exact same thing happened to my Octavia as well.

• Year of registration

2013

• Engine

2.0 TDi CR (110kW, CKFC)

• Mileage when fault occurred

176.000 km

• Dealer name & response (i.e. "don't want to know"/"yep, they all do that"/other)

Skoda Marichhofer, didn't ask

• Warranty or goodwill contribution?

Bought the car with 173k on the clock, warranty doesn't cover this as this is an expected issue at this mileage

• Any other info. (Full Skoda service history/independent?)

Full skoda service history.

 

I had the service appointment already booked for replacing timing belt (along with the water pump), it could have survived 40 km more - I needed to call a tow car as this happened to me on the highway (the display on the odo meter said check coolant - I stopped immediately, the engine ran less than a minute after this, frankly I was right next to a gas station.

I will also upload an image when I get the faulty part back on Friday.

[conflats12]

Hi All, not sure is this the correct place to post but I am having an intermittent issue with my  2014 VRS 2.0 tdi

 

Randomly every month or 2 I get a check coolant warning. Check levels and its below min line on bottle, top up and warning goes away. I have checked for leaks to no avail. I dipped the engine to see has oil level risen (it hasn't)

 

I noticed it happens more frequently when the air con is running (but can see any leaks on coolant system). 

 

I spoke to dealer and they said to get the water pump replaced.

 

I purchased the car with 43k miles 18months ago and the pump/timing belt was replaced then. Currently have 73k miles on the clock.

 

Anyone come across this before? Don't want to spend €550 on new pump/belt kit if not the issue.

 

Thanks

Conor

[batemansxxxb]

On 26/01/2020 at 11:07, conflats12 said:

Hi All, not sure is this the correct place to post but I am having an intermittent issue with my  2014 VRS 2.0 tdi

 

Randomly every month or 2 I get a check coolant warning. Check levels and its below min line on bottle, top up and warning goes away. I have checked for leaks to no avail. I dipped the engine to see has oil level risen (it hasn't)

 

I noticed it happens more frequently when the air con is running (but can see any leaks on coolant system). 

 

I spoke to dealer and they said to get the water pump replaced.

 

I purchased the car with 43k miles 18months ago and the pump/timing belt was replaced then. Currently have 73k miles on the clock.

 

Anyone come across this before? Don't want to spend €550 on new pump/belt kit if not the issue.

 

Thanks

Conor

According to Skoda uk website all genuine Skoda parts have a 2yr warranty,so if the dealer recommends replacing the water pump remind them that it's less than 2yrs old & the onus is upon them to replace it free of charge under warranty

[abys]

My Octavia had this issue twice in two weeks, both times within 10-15 mins of starting up, and both times at 65-70 mph.

The second time the car started flashing and beeping to stop so pulled over.

 

Suspecting the car may have no water, I called Greenflag. Whilst waiting, I googled it and came across this post and others. 

 

MY 2015

2.0 Diesel

73k miles

Heritage Skoda Bristol

Denied any knowledge of fault so I was charged the full £549 for pump and belt kit change. (It was due to be replaced in May as 5 years old so didn't complain too much)

 

I am yet to take the car on a longer run but pretty sure it'll be fixed now.

[BillyCool]

On 26/01/2020 at 11:07, conflats12 said:

Hi All, not sure is this the correct place to post but I am having an intermittent issue with my  2014 VRS 2.0 tdi

 

Randomly every month or 2 I get a check coolant warning. Check levels and its below min line on bottle, top up and warning goes away. I have checked for leaks to no avail. I dipped the engine to see has oil level risen (it hasn't)

 

I noticed it happens more frequently when the air con is running (but can see any leaks on coolant system). 

 

I spoke to dealer and they said to get the water pump replaced.

 

I purchased the car with 43k miles 18months ago and the pump/timing belt was replaced then. Currently have 73k miles on the clock.

 

Anyone come across this before? Don't want to spend €550 on new pump/belt kit if not the issue.

 

Thanks

Conor

 

Have a look at threads about having a blocked heater matrix. It may be linked to that. My 2014 Leon FR ST 2.0 TDi did the same (we share the same engines).

 

Basically - the car does a DPF regen and the DPF heats up to 600 degrees or so to burn the crud off. Once completed, that uses the EGR cooler to cool things down again. This uses the same cooling circuit as the (blocked) heater matrix and as it can't cool sufficiently, it subsequently boils your coolant, opens a pressure valve and that shoots out of the header tank whilst you are driving (you don't notice it).

 

As it is under pressure, you rarely get a low level warning as you are driving. It is usually once the car cools, the levels drop and you start up next time that you get the warning.

 

Having your aircon on is effectively helping boil the coolant. If you had your heating on full blast you'd take some of the heat out of the coolant (as the matrix is effectively a mini radiator but not working properly as it is blocked). When the car is warmed up, stick the heating on full blast and see if both passenger and drivers side are similar temps - mis-matched or below par temps usually mean the matrix is bunged up. It's a known issue, partly due to having silica gel sachets in the header tank that can split and block things up. 

 

If you jump onto the SEAT forums, there is loads about it:

 

https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/loss-of-coolant-from-expansion-tank-and-i-dont-know-why.445350/

 

Most garages will treat your symptoms with new water pump.

 

PS - mine has that matrix issue but does also overheat, so the thermostat and water pump (+cambelt) are being replaced as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[conflats12]

29 minutes ago, BillyCool said:

 

Have a look at threads about having a blocked heater matrix. It may be linked to that. My 2014 Leon FR ST 2.0 TDi did the same (we share the same engines).

 

Basically - the car does a DPF regen and the DPF heats up to 600 degrees or so to burn the crud off. Once completed, that uses the EGR cooler to cool things down again. This uses the same cooling circuit as the (blocked) heater matrix and as it can't cool sufficiently, it subsequently boils your coolant, opens a pressure valve and that shoots out of the header tank whilst you are driving (you don't notice it).

 

As it is under pressure, you rarely get a low level warning as you are driving. It is usually once the car cools, the levels drop and you start up next time that you get the warning.

 

Having your aircon on is effectively helping boil the coolant. If you had your heating on full blast you'd take some of the heat out of the coolant (as the matrix is effectively a mini radiator but not working properly as it is blocked). When the car is warmed up, stick the heating on full blast and see if both passenger and drivers side are similar temps - mis-matched or below par temps usually mean the matrix is bunged up. It's a known issue, partly due to having silica gel sachets in the header tank that can split and block things up. 

 

If you jump onto the SEAT forums, there is loads about it:

 

https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/loss-of-coolant-from-expansion-tank-and-i-dont-know-why.445350/

 

Most garages will treat your symptoms with new water pump.

 

PS - mine has that matrix issue but does also overheat, so the thermostat and water pump (+cambelt) are being replaced as well. 

 

Cheers for that, I will investigate this further. I had heard about the silica bags splitting, I must get that dealt with first.

 

The intermittent nature of the issue would make me think this heater matrix may be the cause. As you said the warning comes on first thing in the morning when the car is cold.

 

 

[BillyCool]

5 minutes ago, conflats12 said:

Cheers for that, I will investigate this further. I had heard about the silica bags splitting, I must get that dealt with first.

 

The intermittent nature of the issue would make me think this heater matrix may be the cause. As you said the warning comes on first thing in the morning when the car is cold.

 

 

The common denominator is usually the DPF regen. If you buy the Carista dongle and VAG DPF app you can actually see when a regen is due/taking place. I did that and as soon as the regen was over I stopped and checked the header tank. Coolant everywhere!

 

SEAT quoted me 8 hours labour + £500 for parts to change the matrix. They take the dash out! Using the Cupra forum and a workaround, I did it myself in 2 hours and bought a new matrix via Europe for €90. 

 

This is a good You Tube video that actually does the workaround on an Octavia. My Leon was very similar. 

 

 

I've written a self help guide if you need one.

 

 

[reg091]

2016 1.6Tdi. 35K miles. Same overheating issues. In at indie today who has confirmed water pump failing. Replacing pump and cam belt £485.

 

See thread on it here as there is some useful technical background info on the issue.

[Stretch_84]

• Year of registration - 2015

 

• Engine - 2.0 TDI VRS

 

• Mileage when fault occurred  - 41700

 

• Dealer name - Danetre Vauxhall Daventry, car purchased two weeks before fault occurred. 

 

• Warranty or goodwill contribution? - Warranty covered all work, thermostat, water pump an belt replaced. 

 

• Any other info. (Full Skoda service history/independent?) took some time for them to agree to the work as fault couldn’t be replicated initially. Had 3 occasion were it happens to me but they couldn’t get it to do it so I got it back, 120miles later the usual fluctuations in temp gauge. Gave the car back, all work carried out under warranty. Only concern, I asked them to use OEM parts and they used in there words ‘good quality’ aftermarket parts. I’ve asked for proof of parts and work carried out but nothing yet. Car back today so only time will tell. 

[Ecomatt]

If anyone needs a genuine water pump. Horton Skoda have them advertised at £69.99

[kzolt79]

My heating issue is a little different than earlier mentioned here.

 

The car is Octavia 4x4 DSG (not RS), 135 kW, 2016, 108000 km, diesel.

 

It only happens when the engine is heating up pretty fast (warmer ambient temperature and driving style dependent) and the oil temperature is not yet about 90 degrees celsius. Then it goes up to 110-120 degrees. But didn't have once the message on my dash to stop. When the oil temperature reaches about 90 degrees everything goes right. Then it holds still the coolant temp at about 90-95 degrees (readout with diagnostics). In these situations, it does not depends on driving style. And never happened on longer drives when the engine is on work temperature.

 

I'm almost certain that most of the time this is happening when the car is in DPF regen mode.

 

Do you think that this is the same water pump issue or does somebody have any clue what can I do or check?

 

When you talk about solenoid, does it mean the solenoid which is the actuator for the sleeve? Does anyone have the wiring diagram for that?
I thought that I can test it manually, but I'm not sure that it's 0-12 V (the connection to the water pump). Can anyone confirm that?

 

Does the sleeve only goes on-off or have middle positions?

 

Thx.

[Nickj633]

23 hours ago, kzolt79 said:

My heating issue is a little different than earlier mentioned here.

 

The car is Octavia 4x4 DSG (not RS), 135 kW, 2016, 108000 km, diesel.

 

It only happens when the engine is heating up pretty fast (warmer ambient temperature and driving style dependent) and the oil temperature is not yet about 90 degrees celsius. Then it goes up to 110-120 degrees. But didn't have once the message on my dash to stop. When the oil temperature reaches about 90 degrees everything goes right. Then it holds still the coolant temp at about 90-95 degrees (readout with diagnostics). In these situations, it does not depends on driving style. And never happened on longer drives when the engine is on work temperature.

 

I'm almost certain that most of the time this is happening when the car is in DPF regen mode.

 

Do you think that this is the same water pump issue or does somebody have any clue what can I do or check?

 

When you talk about solenoid, does it mean the solenoid which is the actuator for the sleeve? Does anyone have the wiring diagram for that?
I thought that I can test it manually, but I'm not sure that it's 0-12 V (the connection to the water pump). Can anyone confirm that?

 

Does the sleeve only goes on-off or have middle positions?

 

Thx.

my symptoms are similar. I first noticed unusual water temp gauge movement last September when towing in Scotland. However I put that down to ambient temp and hot oil.

the problem repeated itself last week. Coming home from work, about 5 mins into the drive, the temp went past 90 and up to about 120. Put the heater on full and it went down without triggering a dash warning. My 2015 Scout has done 74000 miles and is almost 5 years old.

luckily I have it booked in tomorrow for the cam belt and water pump replacement at an indie, looks like it is just in time. 
 

I’m not an expert, but all the time I have owned mine, even during a DPF clean on a hot day the water temp was rock steady. You may find that this is also a water pump problem.

[kzolt79]

1 hour ago, Nickj633 said:

my symptoms are similar. I first noticed unusual water temp gauge movement last September when towing in Scotland. However I put that down to ambient temp and hot oil.

the problem repeated itself last week. Coming home from work, about 5 mins into the drive, the temp went past 90 and up to about 120. Put the heater on full and it went down without triggering a dash warning. My 2015 Scout has done 74000 miles and is almost 5 years old.

luckily I have it booked in tomorrow for the cam belt and water pump replacement at an indie, looks like it is just in time. 
 

I’m not an expert, but all the time I have owned mine, even during a DPF clean on a hot day the water temp was rock steady. You may find that this is also a water pump problem.

 

Just let me know, did the pump replacement solved the problem.

Today, I also tried, temp went up to 110, after that  it was between 95-105 depending on driving style.

[Nickj633]

On 07/04/2020 at 17:21, kzolt79 said:

 

Just let me know, did the pump replacement solved the problem.

Today, I also tried, temp went up to 110, after that  it was between 95-105 depending on driving style.

Hi, the car was done yesterday, and although too early to tell, on the drive home, about 30 mins the water temp was absolutely fine. Rock steady at 90. Also the oil temp was a few degrees lower than the way down, suggesting more efficient cooling of the whole system. I asked the mechanic (from a distance) about the state of the pump, he said he could see no sign of damage, however that does not mean the sleeve wasn’t starting to misbehave. Cam belt and water pump with auxiliary belts done for £384. 

[reg091]

£384, good deal! 

[Nickj633]

13 minutes ago, reg091 said:

£384, good deal! 

A VAG under the arches type specialist in Worcestershire.... no advertising... but they have looked after my Scout for nearly 2 years with no complaints.

[BillyCool]

2 hours ago, Nickj633 said:

Hi, the car was done yesterday, and although too early to tell, on the drive home, about 30 mins the water temp was absolutely fine. Rock steady at 90. Also the oil temp was a few degrees lower than the way down, suggesting more efficient cooling of the whole system. I asked the mechanic (from a distance) about the state of the pump, he said he could see no sign of damage, however that does not mean the sleeve wasn’t starting to misbehave. Cam belt and water pump with auxiliary belts done for £384. 

 

I had the same issue with my Mk3 Leon TDI. The sleeve on the pump was partially sticking and reducing water flow. Cambelt/pump change sorted it. The new pumps don't have the sleeve anymore. Another clever idea that wasn't practical.

 

In terms of  your coolant temp. If you're using your digital dash display, that will say 90 degrees anywhere across a range of about 80 to 98 degrees. They are designed that way not to show the minor fluctations in coolant temp.

 

If you get an OBD dongle and app on your phone, you'll be suprised how much the coolant temp fluctuates and it gives you a much more accurate `real time` reading. 

 

My t/stat opens at 94 degrees, yet the dash display never goes over 90. It actually runs normally at 92 degrees anyway!

 

Glad you got it sorted.

[Lafraga]

Hi,

 

I got the issue too.

Symptoms: coolant overheating (but never to the red zone) once the engine oil reached 90°C and usually back to normal temperature after driving with a light foot for a few km... it happened sporadically at first then at almost every drive and it finally degenerated into a coolant leak.

 

• Engine

2.0 TDI CR 150 bhp Elegance 2014, engine code CKFC

• Mileage when fault occurred

135k km

• Dealer name & response (i.e. "don't want to know"/"yep, they all do that"/other):

My Skoda dealer in Mulhouse, France had apparently no idea of what it could be (I had no leak at this time). The car was booked in for investigation but due to the Corona virus the dealer had to close. Once I got the leak I finally went to a local garage for a water pump change + cam belt + accessory belt. It was done for 600 €.

• Warranty or goodwill contribution?

Didn't bother to ask, for a 6 years old car with 135k km it was unlikely.

• Any other info. (Full Skoda service history/independent?)

Full Skoda service history until the pump change.

 

 

No more overheating or leak since then.

[StreetHawk]

Would a 2017 facelift be at risk of these problems too?

 

I'm looking at buying one, 2017 VRS TDI 45k on the clock..

[jordy_wd]

9 hours ago, StreetHawk said:

Would a 2017 facelift be at risk of these problems too?

 

I'm looking at buying one, 2017 VRS TDI 45k on the clock..

 

As far as I know, the issue was rectified in early 2016. I can't be sure of that though, and I can't recall where I read that.

[59vrs]

Recently had this happen to me. Coming home last weekend, been driving about 10 minutes, car not fully up to temperature. Then within 2 minutes of joining the motorway dashboard went mad with engine overheat - stop! alert. Temperature gauge had shot round to about 120. Pulled onto hard shoulder, took a photo of temp gauge as proof (in case needed later!) opened bonnet, no heat, no steam, coolant tank cold enough to touch and keep your hand on so clearly not circulating properly. Gave it a few minutes, gauge back to 90, set off again (carefully), gauge quickly climbed to about 115, then went down to 90 and stayed there for rest of 25 miles home. Thanks to having previously read this thread I knew straightaway what it was likely to be!

 

 

• Year of registration:   May 2016 (think this is one of the latest cars this has happened to?)

 

• Engine:  Scout 184, 2.0TDI DSG

 

• Mileage when fault occurred:  53000

 

• Dealer name & response (i.e. "don't want to know"/"yep, they all do that"/other):  RRG Rochdale, were really good, booked me in within 2 days, agreed it sounded like water pump, diagnostics done, confirmed water pump problem. Kept my car overnight to get parts in, loan car provided.

 

• Warranty or goodwill contribution?  Covered under Skoda extended warranty, no problem at all. Opted to pay the extra to have the cambelt replaced at the same time as almost due anyway.

 

• Any other info. (Full Skoda service history/independent?) Full Skoda history (owned since new)

 

Collected it today, fine on drive home on the motorway, so hopefully fixed the problem