MKIII waterpump issues CJZC - CJZE engines

[peter51]

Has anyone with a MKIII had a waterpump problem? If so was it a sudden failure? Does it have plastic vanes or metal?

I asked the my local parts manager if there was a service interval on the waterpump on this vehicle. He couldnt find a specific interval, however he disclosed that he has recently noticed an increasing number of water pump failures on this engine as he has had to order 6 water pumps over the last 6 months.

He said it was unusual to have ordered so many pumps and because the parts database shows that VAG have modified and revised this pump twice - the latest part number being 04E121600CS. 

Does anyone have any other info to share?

[hetty1]

 Peter 51,

           

           I was diagnosed with a failing water pump on my 17 plate Fabia 3 110 estate petrol in April 2021. The diagnosis came completely out of the blue while the car was being serviced by my independent at 26000 miles. There was a slight leak apparently. I had( and still have) absolute trust in this garage.  I authorised the repair and a new water pump was ordered from TPS  and fitted. The all inclusive bill was around the 400 pounds mark. I posted on Briskoda at the time about this. I didnt know anything about the VAG revisions nor, of course, the parts manager having to order so many pumps.

 

           I learnt from other posters about having 2 pumps and it was the electric one that had been diagnosed and changed. I think the replacement   pump was plastic but I could be wrong. In over 50 years driving experience I had never had a water pump replaced and it definitely  seems this part is poor quality. I have a friend who had the same diagnosis on his 19 plate Octavia petrol hatch and it does seem as though there has been a problem with these  pumps for quite some time. It will be a real  factor early next year when I decide whether to keep my car and buy a 4th year of warranty or change it for a non VAG product.

 

              I hope this helps.

[Breezy_Pete]

It appears from this page (see low on left "Similar parts") that you can buy the 'core' of the pump without the whole housing, and it comes with the necessary gaskets.

Might be a cheaper solution, IFF the problem isn't leakage caused by the housing itself distorting.

Edited 9 May, 2023 by Breezy_Pete
typo

[AGFalco]

15 hours ago, peter51 said:

waterpump

There are two water pumps with this engine.

 

 

8 hours ago, hetty1 said:

having 2 pumps and it was the electric one

The water pump in the first post is the mechanically driven one on the gearbox side of the engine at the top, not the electrically driven pump in front of the block.

 

 

16 hours ago, peter51 said:

If so was it a sudden failure?

What is the problem with yours?

 

 

Thanks. AG Falco

 

[peter51]

Mine hasnt failed yet - I have no information on the failure mode - complete failure, gradual leak, thermostat failure or other.

Best to regularly check for coolant leaks around this assembly now this failure point has been highlighted.

 

The service manager here in Australia will not disclose if any technical service bulletin has been released - although I dont believe her, because she also stated that Skoda do not release technical service bulletins - sounds like crap to me to avoid liability. All manufacturers release bulletins to their maintenance people to highlight parts that need earlier than usual monitoring.

 

Does anyone on the forum have access to technical service bulletins?? I cannot access Erwin in Australia - individuals have been locked out of access - directed by Skoda Australia and revealed to me by the Erwin administrators.

 

The only information I have is that failures are starting to occur on this model due to the evidence from one dealer, and that there has been 2 iterations of the pump - probably to address failure points with the assembly.

 

 

[nta16]

8 hours ago, peter51 said:

Does anyone on the forum have access to technical service bulletins?? I cannot access Erwin in Australia - individuals have been locked out of access - directed by Skoda Australia and revealed to me by the Erwin administrators.

@varooom and others may be able to help with TSBs or whatever VW call them and perhaps access to erWin but I don't know.

 

I can't stand blatant lies from employees, even worse when it's from the company owners, even if the management or owners of the business tell employees to lie to customers (customers: often something nasty they stepped in and need to scrape of the soles of their boots or shoes) they could tell you honestly that it's company policy to keep this information within the business.

 

Edited 10 May, 2023 by nta16

[varooom]

15 minutes ago, nta16 said:

@varooom and others may be able to help with TSBs or whatever VW call them and perhaps access to erWin but I don't know.

Sadly Nigel I don't have many water pump TPI's, mostly it's about sun roof drains and seals on windows.

 

 

@peter51 The only thing you can do is have someone in another Country that is willing to put an hour onto erWin Skoda with your VIN to look up all the details you need.  They could get you all of the wiring diagrams/repair diagrams and then scour the TPI section to make PDF's from them.

[Ootohere]

@peter51the service manager is highly unlikely to be a mechanic, technician or even a fitter.  Best ask to talk to one of those if you are concerned.   Australia certainly does have VW,s and others fully crapping then selves with Recalls and Recall actions because of many issues in the past.  I find it hard to believe dealerships do not get Technical Product Information.      OT, but a separate issue as no water pump replacement required at the time, but when are you having the Cam Belt and tensioners replaced.   May ask the same parts person how many of those they supply. 

[peter51]

Thanks everyone for your input. I wont be going back to the dealer. I have found a VAG specialist who has access to Erwin and may have more info. My recent - and last - visit to this dealer where I found out about the water pumps was to have the timing belt changed at 120K this week - and now the warranty has ceased I will do all my own maintenance

In the USA it is law that anyone can enter their VIN and check for Technical service bulletins applicable to their vehicle - car manufacturers are forced to comply.

Regarding toot’s query - the water pump is on the opposite side to the timing belt on this engine and it is belt driven. Not sure if that was what you were alluding to.

Overall I still really enjoy driving this car - in all respects. 

[Ootohere]

I was alluding to the Water Pump not being due replacement when the Cam Belt is with your car, and really asking if your Cam belt was getting changed and what the Guidelines, Recommendations, Schedule / Spec is in Australia for that.

Dusty or non dusty regions.

 

It is a crazy 5 years in the UK according to Skoda / VW Group Dealership employees.

[nta16]

5 hours ago, varooom said:

Sadly Nigel I don't have many water pump TPI's, mostly it's about sun roof drains and seals on windows.

Sorry I wasn't sure which and what info is open or very closed source.  I suppose if the information is paid for by independants then it won't be too open source.

 

I've got a link to a load of USA BL TSBs from the 1970s and it's surprisingly some still have relevance to cars surviving from that time (liss plastic engine parts then).

  

[nta16]

4 hours ago, peter51 said:

In the USA it is law that anyone can enter their VIN and check for Technical service bulletins applicable to their vehicle - car manufacturers are forced to comply.

Yes and you can report car faults and if enough owners get the same fault or it's considered a safety issue the companies are forced to sort the issue.  In the UK the car manufacturers and their lobbyist are far too close to Government and Parliamentarians (not quite as powerful and influential as the gambling and sugar concerns though).