Hi all I have a 2016 Octavia VRS 2ltr petrol that has a little coolant leak from roughly the front middle of the engine my mechanic said it’s the water pump but I have been told the water pump is to the left under the alternator. Can someone clarify this please and also if it is the pump what I actually need? Again same mechanic said it comes as a kit with pump thermostat belt etc but what do I need to replace? I know it’s the housing that fails so do the kits have everything? Sorry if this is long winded I just have no idea

Thanks

If you have no idea, I would suggest giving the car to the aforementioned mechanic to do the work. Changing the pump isn't the most dificult thing in the world, but the access is quite tricky (manifold needs to come off, etc) and then the entire coolant system needs to be bled properly.

I’m not suggesting for one minute that I am going to attempt it myself changing the alternator was bad enough for me! I know how much room there isn’t in there and the amount of hours it will take to do it I wanted clarification of what I need and where the pump was and what I need to fix it for example do I buy a pump separately for £80 or do I need thermostat, pump housing and belt and maybe more or even timing belt kit like I have seen online in the kits? That’s the part I have no idea about!

6 hours ago, Neil26111 said:

or even timing belt kit

Not on a 2.0 petrol as they have a timing chain!

Hi Dave yeah I know it’s a chain on these but I really need guidance on what I actually need to do the job as in what do I need in the kit. I have seen a few different kits and I am not sure what’s needed.

On 02/04/2026 at 11:21, Neil26111 said:

I’m not suggesting for one minute that I am going to attempt it myself changing

Fair. Probably best to let the mechanic do it.

On 02/04/2026 at 11:21, Neil26111 said:

do I buy a pump separately

Wouldn't you just let the mechanic buy what they need?

That's how it normally works right?

On 02/04/2026 at 23:31, Neil26111 said:

I have seen a few different kits and I am not sure what’s needed.

You don't buy anything if you aren't doing the job. Just take car to mechanic and they will get what they need based on their experience.

As above.

If you supply a pump and "the garage" fits it, then maybe after 6 months there's a problem with the part or workmanship.......who's to say if it's the part that's the problem or the workmanship.

Have the garage supply and fit the part then if there's a problem it's on them.

Generally most garages aren’t too happy installing parts supplied by the customer - more often than not because the customer supplies crappy Chinese Autodoc parts.

My Indie is happy to, but that’s because they a) know me and b) know I’ll get genuine bits.

Anything I’m unsure about, I get them to order it - if it goes wrong, it’s their problem.

1 hour ago, OccyVRS said:

Generally most garages aren’t too happy installing parts supplied by the customer - more often than not because the customer supplies crappy Chinese Autodoc parts.

My Indie is happy to, but that’s because they a) know me and b) know I’ll get genuine bits.

Anything I’m unsure about, I get them to order it - if it goes wrong, it’s their problem.

Skoda want £498 for the kit inc coolant SAF local car parts dealer want about £150 for a BGA one but it doesn’t come with the housing but I can get one from eBay says INA so Schaeffler product for £200 and mechanic can do the job for £150 I just need guidance of where to get the kit from that’s not Skoda seeing as my mechanic can do it for less than half the price

To be clear, you definitely have a water pump leak.

The water pump is located on the gearbox side of the engine (and as mentioned above) under the intake manifold. The pump is driven from the balancing shaft by its own drive BELT. The pump should be changed with the thermostat (actually a rotary distributor) housing and the belt.

That costs about 1000€/pound at a non-dealer mechanic, more at the dealer. If going to a non-dealer mechanic, go someplace they are used to work on these jobs. If the mechanics talk about the timing chain, go away ...

Edited 8 April8 Apr by Woland

Yep just had the dame thing on my 2014 tsi.

It went to the dealer on tuesday.

Water pump....

They will charge 1400 euros for the pump, the regulator and the labour

As above, the quote from my place to do the pump on my EA888 was just a hair under £1000 (I think it was £980).

A genuine pump is about £500 - cheaper ones are £350. I haven't heard that many bad things about Schaeffler INA, but with such a high labour cost, most people just buy a genuine pump and call it a day. Buy cheap, buy twice.

That being said, £150 labour is a joke. The EA888 needs the intake manifold to be removed in order to get at the pump. I've never seen any mechanic do that job in under 4-5 hours, unless it's a bodge.