Temperature gauge going crazy and coolant sensor flashing to start my day. That was followed by the catastrophic miss that can only be the ignition coils. I replaced the coils and the miss went away immediately. Took the car to the local shop and found out I have a jacked up water pump. 62,000 miles. So they are doing the timing belt, water pump and thermostat.

 

well.. at least your getting your timing belt earlier than suggested.

what exactly does a new timing belt do btw?

 

New timing belt ensures that you don't have to worry about the belt breaking and destroying your motor.

Make sure they are replacing the original water pump with the metal replacement. Also, make sure they replace all the parts with the timing belt such as tensioner and pulley. Has this shop done an a4 timing belt before? Also, be prepared for your temp gauge to still be acting up after they do that work. That's probably not the cause. I'd really be surprised if your pump was bad, my plastic pump was in perfect shape when it was replaced at 90k.

 

They originally replaced a sensor. The car would overheat at speed vs. idle. The owner is a VW tech and is well versed in the 1.8t. They are replacing the plastic fan with the metal one as you have suggested.

 

Just talked to mechanic. It was the water pump. Spinning on the shaft, whatever that means...

 

Honestly I would try the thermostat first, then if that didn't work go for the belt/pump. The thermostat is bolted to the drivers side of the engine block so having the car taken apart for the timing belt job doesn't really help for that.