Man German cars are a PIA to work on! I finally got my A4, I like it but it must be chipped cuz its slow. Anyway, I was wondering where I could find a how to on replacing your water pump. The guys at the shop said there is a special tool that pulls the whole front end about a foot forward to give you room to work. How do you pull it forward? Is there a Service manual I can buy or does someone have one? I don't know if the previous owner changed it or not but but I found rust in my coolant that might indicate otherwise. I'd appreciate any help in doing this.

 

There is no special tool. I don't know what he is talking about. You remove 2 bolts and unclip the bumper. It will only slide forward 6" or so. It's a pain to leave it that way though. It is best to spend 15 more minutes and completly remove the whole clip and fan assembly.

http://www.bentlypublishers.com

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng31.shtml

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng35.shtml

 

Are you doing the timing belt as well? Usually they go hand in hand... I'll be doing mine this august.

Bentley manuals are great... try and buy the print version though... their CD is good, but they are pretty retarded in how they make you use it.

 

Make sure that if you are changing the water pump, and timing belt that you do the associated components (tensioner and idler wheel).

Might consider putting in a snub mount to if you want.

 

If you don't already have the parts ecs tuning sells a nice kit.

 

There shouldn't be rust in your coolant.

What color is it? It should be a pinkish orange. If it appears muddy, someone may have added the wrong antifreeze in which case the system should be drained, flushed and refilled with G12 and distilled water.

 

here is a link to a write-up I did on my avant:

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=166611

 

Get a Bentley manual. It's awesome.

Audi sells a "support tool" for a stupid amount of money. But I made my own to pull the radiator support frame further away from the motor. Just get two pieces of 8mm threaded rod (about 12" each). When you remove the bolts holding the support frame to the frame of the car, you thread a piece of rod into one hole on each end of the car. Disconnect the coolant lines and a few electrical connections and you're home free WITHOUT removing the A/C condensor lines which are obviously pressurized.

Definitely do the timing belt (I did all belts) at the same time if you need one anytime soon. ECS Tuning's kit is excellent with one exception. They don't give you a new o-ring gasket to replace the one that you remove when you pull the pump housing off the block. I got away with putting the old one back in but I'd rather have replaced it. It should, but isn't part of their otherwise excellent kit.

FYI ... if you can't find 8mm threaded rod then get something close and use a 8mm die to make the threads. That worked for me.