Trying to get a ball park figure. I understand one does not just change water pump; belts and idlers and maybe cam plugs need to be changed too. Now my baby is at 160K, so all this was done at some point in the past already. I am getting huge estimates. I am also told thermostat may need to change also and that is in a very different location and hard to reach. Any ideas please? What's a reasonable figure here?

 

First, you don't give a clue as to which engine you have, four or six. Next, is it due for a "timing belt" job? If you don't know when that was last done, then it is. If your coolant pump is leaking, or worse, making noise, then you are on borrowed time already. A seized pump will quickly cause the timing belt to snap, causing expensive engine damage. The most minimal charge, I would guess, might be several hundred to just change the pump only. On either engine, but the V6 especially, it's a lot of labor to just get at the pump. The full timing belt job, including pump, coolant, belts, etc, is in the ball park of $1,500 in many cases.

You mention the thermostat; that thing is difficult to reach only on the V6, since the timing belt has to come off. But that would be off already to change the pump, so it is really not much more labor, and the thermostat itself is pretty inexpensive.

 

Thank you. Yes it is a V6, quad cam, it is busy in there. $1600 is the range I get. They do insist that thermostat is still hard to get at. Power steering cooling pipe interferes apparently. No idea that it required cooling! I am sure thermostat is ok, never redlined it, and as soon as coolant low alarm came on, had it towed. Still, I am told it would be best to replace. Mostly labor and part will add another $500 probably. At this point we are beyond what this 2005 A4 is worth. If I can get 2 more years, even one year, would be worth it to me. I think. Thanks again.

 

Hey, dein Beitrag über das Auto klingt nach richtigem Kopfzerbrechen, und ich musste sofort an etwas denken, das mir hilft, nach so stressigen Situationen abzuschalten. Vor kurzem bin ich zufällig auf vegas hero gestoßen, ein Online-Casino mit speziellen Boni für Spieler aus Österreich. Ich habe dort „Starburst“ ausprobiert, erst ein paar kleine Verluste, aber dann einen richtig schönen Gewinn erzielt. Das hat mir echt Spaß gemacht und war eine super Ablenkung vom ganzen Werkstattstress.