I had a low coolant error flash up the other day (first time ever).

Checked coolant level & it was a bit low. Topped it up & will keep monitoring.

Question is where has the coolant escaped from? No obvious signs of any leaks. Mileage is 52,500 & next service is away off.

Does the 280 have a weep hole in the water pump to indicate a new pump is required? 

By 280 I assume a 2.0 tsi, these don’t have a belt driven water pump in the traditional sense.

 

they have a electric water pump on the front of the engine that is run by a tiny belt also. This housing and pump is prone to leaks. Most likely will be this. Can be seen by looking up from the underneath at the front of the engine 

As above, It sounds like the water pump.  I had one go during the main lockdown. Looking around it's a relatively common fault on the chain driven vag engines, not just the 280.

Probably the waterpump seal.

 

Known VAG EA888 problem. The guy mounting the engine doesn't bolt the screws in order, it squeezes the seal and eventually leads to a seal.

 

Can you get it done on warranty? They change the whole pump. If you can't then try to get a new seal as the pump should be fine.

26 minutes ago, RedLineZ said:

Probably the waterpump seal.

 

Known VAG EA888 problem. The guy mounting the engine doesn't bolt the screws in order, it squeezes the seal and eventually leads to a seal.

 

Can you get it done on warranty? They change the whole pump. If you can't then try to get a new seal as the pump should be fine.

Not at all what the issue is, there are 3 main failure points on these

- The actual bearing goes on the pump and it leaks from the shaft

- The seal between pump and thermostat housing leaks 

- The seals all around the thermostat housing leak as there are so many joins either rubber seals or plastic welds - this is the main one.

 

You would be very very silly to just change a seal - if it is a changeable part even - get a new pump, thermostat housing and small cotton reel piece between thermostat and oil cooler. Thats all you need and theres no point only doing half a job.

 

55 minutes ago, RedLineZ said:

The guy mounting the engine doesn't bolt the screws in order,

 

A human being assembling engine parts in a modern production line, what a quaint notion! 😆

3 minutes ago, J.R. said:

 

A human being assembling engine parts in a modern production line, what a quaint notion! 😆

 

You think they build these engines by hand with 1000% attention to detail?

No, they are mass produced with target numbers to reach daily.

Minor parts are done by hand, apparently the water pump assembly is one.

No, I think know they are built by "Roberts" as Sir Michael Edwardes once called them!

21 minutes ago, RedLineZ said:

 

apparently the water pump assembly is one.

You cant take something that you 'think' is the truth and tell people its the truth and the cause. 

 

Ive replaced somewhere between 50 and 100 of these water pumps on both longitudinal and horizontal engines and its not as simple as 'replace a water pump seal'

This guy knows his water pumps.

Buy a whole new pump for 400 quid, forget the seals.

 

Thread can be closed

 

£725 Inc 5 hours labour at my local garage. 2016 280 with 65000 mls. 

I could see dampness looking down between rad and block area. 

 

2 hours ago, RedLineZ said:

This guy knows his water pumps.

Buy a whole new pump for 400 quid, forget the seals.

 

Thread can be closed

 

You’re looking about £450 parts and I believe the book time is 4 hours or so + coolant flush and a run up so like the guy bellow said, you’re looking about £700 or so 

Personally if it’s the first time it’s ever done this, then just replenish.

 

Maybe it’s always been really low (but not enough to trigger sensor) and you’ve never noticed.

 

If it does it again then you know for sure something is leaking or consuming

Edited 21 February, 20224 yr by Danoid

Just paid £490 for a  new thermostat housing and waterpump fitted - INA brand and coolant.  which can be bought from Autodoc for £300.

 

TPS are selling a genuine one for £405.

 

19 hours ago, Chazzy said:

£725 Inc 5 hours labour at my local garage. 2016 280 with 65000 mls. 

I could see dampness looking down between rad and block area. 

 

Wow that's expensive!  I was quoted £599 first then sawed the local mechanic that I can buy the part for £300.

22 minutes ago, Awesam said:

Just paid £490 for a  new thermostat housing and waterpump fitted - INA brand and coolant.  which can be bought from Autodoc for £300.

 

TPS are selling a genuine one for £405.

 

Trade prices are not the same as retail prices though, theres always gonna be an additional fee put on by the company

 

£490 fitted means £190 in labour, thats incredibly cheap, I definitely wouldn't be doing the job for that price, its a messy and scratchy job. 

True!

 

When my car was at JBS for tuning in December, they quoted me £550 with an INA Branded one at that time.

Thanks for all the comments & apologies' for the delayed response - I forgot to do the follow topic button doh!!

Ouch! Sounds like an expensive fix.

I'll keep an eye on it & in the meantime I'll get a quote from a couple of local VAG independents. 

Bang goes my first ever state pension payment ☹️  

On 21/02/2022 at 14:01, Danoid said:

Personally if it’s the first time it’s ever done this, then just replenish.

 

Maybe it’s always been really low (but not enough to trigger sensor) and you’ve never noticed.

 

If it does it again then you know for sure something is leaking or consuming

Yep. That's my plan for now at least. I plan to have a look today.

I checked the coolant level today 3 weeks after the warning light originally came on & I topped it up. The level looks OK & there are no visible signs of any leaks from on top or underneath. So on that basis I guess some more observation is required over the coming weeks before I need to take any action.  

Looks like I can join the 280 failed water pump club today then at 67000 miles and only 17 days after it was at the main dealer having a service and haldex service - FFS!☹️

Used the car this morning with no issues then went to go out at lunch time and had a coolant warning straight away - checked and the bottle was low and a suspicious puddle in front of the car.

Got a local mechanic to check it and has confirmed we can see it dripping constantly out of the housing.

Now to see if the local dealer are gonna take as long as the last time when my alternator failed to even look at it let alone fix it all the while leaving me stranded.....

At least I have warranty still.

1 hour ago, SkudMissile21 said:

Looks like I can join the 280 failed water pump club today then at 67000 miles and only 17 days after it was at the main dealer having a service and haldex service - FFS!☹️

Used the car this morning with no issues then went to go out at lunch time and had a coolant warning straight away - checked and the bottle was low and a suspicious puddle in front of the car.

Got a local mechanic to check it and has confirmed we can see it dripping constantly out of the housing.

Now to see if the local dealer are gonna take as long as the last time when my alternator failed to even look at it let alone fix it all the while leaving me stranded.....

At least I have warranty still.

Warranty on a 2018 280? Had my water pump done 18 months ago at around 60k. That & discs & pads all round was expensive at a VAG specialist but less than  main dealer. Mine's due a service in July 🤞.  

On 06/06/2024 at 17:17, Colin170CR said:

Warranty on a 2018 280? Had my water pump done 18 months ago at around 60k. That & discs & pads all round was expensive at a VAG specialist but less than  main dealer. Mine's due a service in July 🤞.  

I bought it in 2020 with a years warranty and have taken out the extended one the last three years running. Total spend so far of £1277 and I’m quids in considering I’ve had the alternator, 3 out of 4 door locks (another looks like it might have failed now as well…), fuel flap solenoid and drivers window switches all done for free with no excess. Add in the water pump and potentially the last door lock and it appears money well spent. Just a shame it’s been needed, love this car and not planning on getting rid anytime soon but it’s not been the most reliable car I’ve owned by a long way!

17 minutes ago, SkudMissile21 said:

I bought it in 2020 with a years warranty and have taken out the extended one the last three years running. Total spend so far of £1277 and I’m quids in considering I’ve had the alternator, 3 out of 4 door locks (another looks like it might have failed now as well…), fuel flap solenoid and drivers window switches all done for free with no excess. Add in the water pump and potentially the last door lock and it appears money well spent. Just a shame it’s been needed, love this car and not planning on getting rid anytime soon but it’s not been the most reliable car I’ve owned by a long way!

I'd say you've been very unlucky. My 2016 280 has only had the water pump & fuel vapour canaster replaced in my time with it. All the rest has been "normal" consumable items. Not looking to get rid of mine anytime soon either.

Well to add to my being unlucky it seems my local dealership isn’t helping with that - car dropped off in an unusable state (due to the leaking pump) on the 10th of June but isn’t scheduled to be repaired until the 12th of July! Has anyone else had a better experience of getting a breakdown scenario issue sorted or is it just my local dealer that is a shower of the brown stuff?!