VW Jetta 2.0L Water Pump

I just finished replacing the water pump on a 2000 Jetta GLS 2.0L with
85K miles. Total time about 4hrs. No special tools needed, except a
good pair of circlip pliers for the cam on the timing belt tensioner.
The symptoms are a hot upper radiator hose, cold lower radiator hose,
over heating, high pressure in the resevoir. The first diagnosis is
stuck thermostat, but no such luck. The water pump has a composite
plastic impeller, and it cracks in two pieces and releases from the hub
of the pump shaft. There is no warning of impending failure; no sound,
no leaks from the casting weep hole, and no screeching bearings, all of
which are typical of American car water pump failures. Additionally,
the pump is driven by the timing belt, so it is "buried" behind the
timing belt covers (3 in all). The Haynes manual lays it out quite
well. VW dealer wants 500 bucks just for pump replacement ($160.00 for
the pump itself), and recommends replacement of timing belt, timing
belt tensioner pulley & bolt, possibly camshaft and crankshaft seals if
leaking, and of course serpentine belt, and possibly serpentine belt
tension pulley. This brings total repair up to around 700-800 bucks,
and you get a shiny new plastic impeller to boot! Too much money for a
car with under 100K. I found two manufacturers of the pump with metal
impellers: Airtex and Hepu. The Airtex pump has a cast brass impeller,
and is made in Fairfield, IL. Cost: 60-90 bucks. The Hepu is made in
Germany, and I don't know how they make the impeller, other than they
claim it is not plastic. It is probably a good idea to replace at
least the timing belt while you are in there, but I didn't because I
could not see any appreciable wear to the belt and the timing belt
tensioner pulley itself was fine. The serpentine belt tensioner pulley
can be disassembled (seals removed) cleaned and the bearings repacked,
although it is probably just as cheap to replace it, you can buy just
the pulley itself, without the bracket, much cheaper...about 10 bucks.
I ended up with less than 100 bucks in the whole ordeal, because I
found the pump on Ebay for 30 bucks. Good Luck.

Are you the first owner of the car?

> wrote in message
ups.com...
>I just finished replacing the water pump on a 2000 Jetta GLS 2.0L with
> 85K miles. Total time about 4hrs. No special tools needed, except a
> good pair of circlip pliers for the cam on the timing belt tensioner.
> The symptoms are a hot upper radiator hose, cold lower radiator hose,
> over heating, high pressure in the resevoir. The first diagnosis is
> stuck thermostat, but no such luck. The water pump has a composite
> plastic impeller, and it cracks in two pieces and releases from the hub
> of the pump shaft. There is no warning of impending failure; no sound,
> no leaks from the casting weep hole, and no screeching bearings, all of
> which are typical of American car water pump failures. Additionally,
> the pump is driven by the timing belt, so it is "buried" behind the
> timing belt covers (3 in all). The Haynes manual lays it out quite
> well. VW dealer wants 500 bucks just for pump replacement ($160.00 for
> the pump itself), and recommends replacement of timing belt, timing
> belt tensioner pulley & bolt, possibly camshaft and crankshaft seals if
> leaking, and of course serpentine belt, and possibly serpentine belt
> tension pulley. This brings total repair up to around 700-800 bucks,
> and you get a shiny new plastic impeller to boot! Too much money for a
> car with under 100K. I found two manufacturers of the pump with metal
> impellers: Airtex and Hepu. The Airtex pump has a cast brass impeller,
> and is made in Fairfield, IL. Cost: 60-90 bucks. The Hepu is made in
> Germany, and I don't know how they make the impeller, other than they
> claim it is not plastic. It is probably a good idea to replace at
> least the timing belt while you are in there, but I didn't because I
> could not see any appreciable wear to the belt and the timing belt
> tensioner pulley itself was fine. The serpentine belt tensioner pulley
> can be disassembled (seals removed) cleaned and the bearings repacked,
> although it is probably just as cheap to replace it, you can buy just
> the pulley itself, without the bracket, much cheaper...about 10 bucks.
> I ended up with less than 100 bucks in the whole ordeal, because I
> found the pump on Ebay for 30 bucks. Good Luck.
>

Good clear story-thanks! Only note I would have given is that timing belt is
gonna be due for a change based on mileage soon and it would have been wise to
just take care of it while you were in there. The timing belt tensioner is one
of those things where if you don't replace it, just the belt, and the tensioner
seizes 20k later-you are REALLY gonna kick yourself!

I am surprised VW chose a plastic impeller. Stupid stupid stupid. I have not
seen a plastic impeller on any vehicle up til now.

FWIW I'd bet the water pump on my 89 Jetta is original.

VW been using plastic impellers back a number of years even on the A3. I
can tell you we use to replace a lot more A2 waterpumps than the 99.5 and
up cars. The reason I ask about first owner is that it's a powertrain
warranty for 10yr/100,000 miles.


"Simplstupd" > wrote in message
...
> Good clear story-thanks! Only note I would have given is that timing belt
> is
> gonna be due for a change based on mileage soon and it would have been
> wise to
> just take care of it while you were in there. The timing belt tensioner
> is one
> of those things where if you don't replace it, just the belt, and the
> tensioner
> seizes 20k later-you are REALLY gonna kick yourself!
>
> I am surprised VW chose a plastic impeller. Stupid stupid stupid. I have
> not
> seen a plastic impeller on any vehicle up til now.
>
> FWIW I'd bet the water pump on my 89 Jetta is original.