How do I fix a leaking water pump on an Audi A4?

Question

Is there any way to fix a leaking water pump on my 2015 Audi A4 without taking it to the dealership or is it just a lost cause? I am honestly so stressed because I noticed a puddle of pink coolant in my driveway this morning and I have a huge road trip to Chicago this Friday. I checked under the hood and it looks like it is coming from the pump housing but everything is so cramped in there. I only have about $200 for repairs right now so I am really hoping it is just a seal. Do I need special tools for this? Honestly I am just fed up with this car and the constant maintenance...

hevsdtyqho · Accepted Answer

To add to the point above: since you are on a budget, you might want to look into the Rein Automotive Water Pump with Metal Housing. The aluminum ones dont warp like the plastic ones do, so it is a much better long-term fix for about the same price. You will definitely need some Lexivon VZN Triple Square Bit Sockets though. Audi uses those 12-point bolts everywhere and a regular hex or torx will just strip them out, which is the last thing you want right before a road trip to Chicago. It is a cramped job but totally doable if you move the throttle body out of the way first to get more room for your hands. Also, make sure you pick up some Pentosin Pentofrost E G13 Coolant Concentrate because you cannot just use generic green stuff from the gas station or you will gum up the heater core.

utigkjzmim · Answer

^ This. Also, be extremely careful with the torque specs on those tiny housing bolts. If you over-tighten them, you'll likely crack the new unit, which would be a total nightmare tbh. I would suggest getting the INA Water Pump Assembly 538073310 as a solid alternative. Also, make sure to swap the Continental Water Pump Belt 06K121605E since you're already deep in there... it's cheap insurance.

rlmzrzusoo · Answer

^ This. Also, you definitely want to make sure everything is 100% reliable before you head out! My sister had a similar issue with her old A4 right before a huge road trip to Colorado! She was so stressed about the coolant leak, and we tried to rush a fix because we wanted it to be super safe for the mountain passes. Let me tell you, it turned into such a crazy adventure! We got about two hours outside the city and the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. We had to get towed to this tiny town in the middle of nowhere and wait three days for a shop. It was honestly a nightmare but we ended up staying in this amazing little cabin and had a fantastic time despite the car drama! Safety is always my number one priority now, I absolutely love road trips but man, bad coolant pumps will absolutely ruin your plans! Let me know if you need any moral support or help looking up route info, I would love to help you out!