Info On Replaced Water Pumps

[stornolad]

I was at a SEAT dealers & they never had any used cars i liked but 1 of the guys that worked there went on the net with me and we were looking at pistonheads, autotrader etc...and every time there was an advert for a leon fr or cupra tdi that mentioned the water pump had been replaced he said, stay away from that one, it's probably been abused a bit - just wanting some feedback as to whether the water pump being replaced is a standard replacement that comes with age, or is it really a sign of a car that's been driven a bit too hard?

 

[seatcupra]

Sounds like a load of pish to me!

Water pumps generally get replaced at the same time as the timing belt, which is part of the 4/5yr 60/80k service (whichever)

 

[Phillc]

The early water pumps where plastic and fell apart over time, the newer ones are metal so LOTS of people change them as a precaution.

 

[matt_s]

just wanting some feedback as to whether the water pump being replaced is a standard replacement that comes with age, or is it really a sign of a car that's been driven a bit too hard?

It's a sign that the owner replaced the waterpump when the cambelt was done for £30-50 extra rather than pay £350 for it to be done later. Probably means they weren't tight so the car is more looked after.

I know 3 people with vag cars that have been bought second hand with a new cambelt and then had the waterpump go within 2 years.

 

[CJRamze]

Everytime a Cambelt is done MOST sensible people replace the water pump.
Its one thing to snap a belt
Its a similar and expensive problem to have the pump fail.

Both will ruin the engine...

 

[allh2k]

I can only presume he thinks ppl dont ask for them doing as he is at a seat garage who would charge £100+ plus and it might be on a checklist for them to check when doing the cam belt anyway with tensioners n stuff. Ive just had mine done at 121k and the mech said it was absolutly fine.

 

[Phillc]

Just done mine (116000miles) along with the cam belt, and half of impeller had gone not had any issues either, if you dont know if the water pump has been done then do it when you have the cam belt done, it was only £22 and with the metal impeller, its not expensive so no excuses.

 

[CJRamze]

I can only presume he thinks ppl dont ask for them doing as he is at a seat garage who would charge £100+ plus and it might be on a checklist for them to check when doing the cam belt anyway with tensioners n stuff. Ive just had mine done at 121k and the mech said it was absolutly fine.

Basically that says to me that most people dont really care about their car as much as people who do replace them

(I'm not disagreeing with you by the way, I was just highlighting that for the OP)

 

[allh2k]

Fair comment ( *note i didnt have mine done at the stealers)

But just a quick question do the most recent engines have a problem with premature wear on raced/well used engines?

 

[CJRamze]

All cars no matter how old they are will have reduced engine life if their raced/well used.
Depends whos had the car before you.
Your better buying off a forum member, Atleast you know the history then

 

[stornolad]

cheers for the info everyone, so many adverts mention replaced waterpumps, now i know not to follow that guys info - good to get info from folk that really know what they're talking about