Driving home tonight, 70mph-ish in 4th gear, started to notice sluggish performance when overtaking, and the engine temp light & warning buzzer suddenly comes on. Displayed temp rises from the 90 mid-point to near enough the 130 red-zone over the next few minutes.

My car is a 2003 vRS, no engine mods, no remap. After a coolant warning occurred a few months back, I changed the temp sensor (to new VAG green plug type) and it's been fine until now.

Temp display on the dash returned to 90 when I came to a halt in traffic 5 mins later.

I haven't looked under the bonnet yet, wanted everything to cool first.

Any first points of call when diagnosing this ? Any known problems with thermostat, water pump on the Mk1 vRS ?

All hints & tips, part numbers etc. much appreciated.

Si

From elsewhere on the forum, sounds like this is the water pump.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octavia/flat-overheating-vrs/78422/?highlight=vrs+water+pump

Anyone know part numbers for replacement ? A DIY replacement task, or one for a garage ?

Is it safe to drive the car any distance ?

Thanks,

Si

Yes, it will be the water pump. As to if its safe to drive, I wouldnt. The impellor parts may continue to break off and you dont want any bits getting stuck in the engine waterways.

Thanks mannyo.

If it is the pump, do the "normal" symptoms of this failure allow the temp to fall again ?

Si

Do a search for cam belt change for an idea of the likely cost involved. The belt is due for replacement at 4 years if it hasn't been replaced already. This is a garage job unless you are an experienced DIY mechanic.

I hac exactly the same. Temp shot up, car went into limp mode. Pull over temp goes down but will shoot up as soon as you try to drive anywhere again. I ended up with white smoke as well. Luckily mine was replaced under warranty. Make sure it gets replaced with a metal impeller pump.

I'd not try and drive it. And, if the cam drive is down far enough to put a new water pump in, you may as well fit a new cambelt too (not the full kit, just the belt), and time the next belt change from now and not the last scheduled one.

I'd go the whole hog, i.e. cambelt & all associated gear, plus metal impeller waterpump. The cost difference isnt that great, and you know it (shouldnt) go wrong until the next belt change is due.

Not worth messing about for a tenner or so vs having to pay all the labour if another part in that area goes wrong IMHO

Thanks to all who have responded, much appreciated

I had already arranged to have some other maintenance work done on the car this coming weekend, so I've just rescheduled that and asked that they do the pump instead.

Local Skoda dealer couldn't supply anything other than a pump with a plastic impeller (though the parts chappie admitted this was a known issue), so I've settled on that for now, and picked up the full cam belt and tensioner kit too.

I'm aware that GSF and other motor factors can get a pump with a metal impeller, but I couldn't get hold of one for the weekend. Next time round, I reckon.

As for driving it, I'll have to, just to take it to the garage where the work is being done, but other than that, it's sitting on my drive looking all forlorn. Poor thing's got a temperature...

Si

I just recently had an aftermarket one fitted with metal impellors on, cost me

Managed to complete the 30 mile trip to my preferred garage this early morning, while the roads were very quiet.

Maximum of 2000rpm and 45mph seemed to be OK, no smoke, no odd noise, and the temp needle rose slightly to about the 100 degrees mark, but settled again.

Embarassing being overtaken by heavily laden trucks though :(

Fingers crossed that the cam belt and pump change will sort it out. I'll try and get pics of the old pump when I get it back.

Si

For anyone looking for part numbers, the new water pump was 06A-121-012X. This has a

Car back on the road now. Impeller had a crack in the outside rim, which must have loosened its grip on the shaft. No other damage to it, which is a relief, as it means no debris in the engine. New cambelt, tensioners and thermostat fitted at the same time.

I have pics of the broken pump if anyone's interested - PM with an email address if you want them (I don't have a hosting account anywhere else right now).

Si

Glad to hear no other damage done

One of my other mates had a similar problem with their Octy TDi, which I diagnosed correctly sight unseen, impressing their chosen garage no end.