Thanks a lot. I'm in the Chicago area. NW Suburbs. If anyone in the area could do the job for a good price that would be much appreciated.

 

My 2.8 has an auxiliary water pump, or at least something that looks just like the auxiliary water pump listed for it on partsgeek. I know because I just had to replace one of the crazy German dogleg, offset, two-different-diameters-in-the-same-hose water lines that are attached to it. I have no idea what it does, but it's there.

 

Link or pics? Maybe we can clarify what you're seeing.

 

Here are some shots of what looks like an auxiliary water pump. You caught me at a good time since I just did the timing belt and cam/crank seals yesterday and I haven't put the front of the car back on yet.

 

I think you're referring to the secondary air pump. That's an emissions device for cold-start. Nothing to do with coolant.

 

I might believe you, but when I replaced the lower hose that attaches to this mystery pump, a very large coolant leak stopped. I'm not saying that couldn't have been a coincidence, but I just crawled under the car again and that same hose connects to a steel line that runs across the front of the oil pan area and then sweeps upward, connecting through another piece of rubber hose to the coolant reservoir. It's too bad it's not actually an air pump, because an air leak of similar proportions to my coolant leak would have been far easier to ignore for a little while.

Unfortunately, the fact that it's a coolant pump still doesn't explain its reason for existing. I know there are plenty of other vehicles out there that are perfectly happy with just one water pump.

 

It is a simple job to replace the Aux water pump and because i know the engine well now, it only takes an hour to replace.
I ended up searching the Bosch part # when i had the pump in hand and found it much cheaper and got the replacement for less than $80 which beats the $200+ that most places will ask.
Do some homework on the net first.

KIWI

 

I have a 98 A6 2.8. I have the evidence of this pump going bad. i'm half way through taking off the intake manifold (a lot easier said than done).

I ordered the pump, and now I think ordered the wrong one.

Can anyone confirm whether or not mine actually has this pump before I finish taking this manifold off?

 

I figured out, mine does not have an auxiliary pump.

My leak was caused by a hose that blew off because the hose clamp was loose.

 

simple on a 2.8?

please share your secret how you change this in an hour.