VW Golf 1.4 TSi Cambelt failure via water pump?

Third Opinion · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:43

My Fiance's mothers Golf broke down tonight and we had to go and pick her up as the AA had diagnosed a cambelt broken, probably because of a water pump failure/seizure.

I know nothing about these engines and she is understandably worried. She has had the car 4 weeks, it is 2009 and has 26k on it with full VW history.

The AA guy seemed a bit clueless. Is the water pump driven via cam belt?

Do you reckon it is a warranty job? The AA guy reckons the engine may need a total replacement.

paradigm · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:44

Certainly the water pump has been cambelt driven in every VAG car I've had. Never had a 1.4 TSi however.

Uriel · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:45

Did she buy from a garage / dealer or privately?

MissChief · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:49

Very unusual for a car of that age and mileage to suffer a failure like that. Without checking but most cars will have cambelt replacement schedules or at least 36k miles (Going by my old GTI-6 which had a very low expected lifespan) or some up to 60k miles or 5 years. The Water pump would also be expected to last at least that long also. In fact while many replace the pump at the same time as replacing the cambelt it often isn't seen as necessary by the manufacturer.

Third Opinion · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:54

Yeah it was a dealer car, of course I am guessing but I just looked at water level which was non existent in the expansion tank. I think the AA was right but it all looks like a bit of a mess.

The water coolant level light came on apparently about 5 seconds before failure (or was noticed just before). I can't see any visible signs of water loss however the road is wet. I have stuck some white card under it to see if any leaks overnight.

233 · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:55

i'd imagine that vw will offer at least a serious chunk of the cost as goodwill depending on the car having a vw service history. warranty would be 3 years unless she has bought it from a dealer- chase them up in the first instance and look for full cost to be covered especially if she's only had the thing 4 weeks

Participant · 14 Feb 2013 at 22:55

My 1.4 TSI has a belt. It's a mk6 160. If she's obeyed service intervals then I can't see why it wouldn't be a warranty claim (I hope she's paid for extended vw warranty. On mine it was hilariously cheap).

Third Opinion · 14 Feb 2013 at 23:01

Robbie G said:
My 1.4 TSI has a belt. It's a mk6 160. If she's obeyed service intervals then I can't see why it wouldn't be a warranty claim (I hope she's paid for extended vw warranty. On mine it was hilariously cheap).

I hope so, I can imagine a belt being cheap as there is so much room. I am just really surprised at 26k.

If it is under warranty then I hope they write the engine off. I had a belt failure under warranty and as soon as warranty was up the crankshaft went which is apparently common after a belt failure. Warranties just repair what is broken at time unless you are lucky.

Such a shame as it is such a lovely car.

Uriel · 14 Feb 2013 at 23:01

Office of Fair Trading guidance:

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/676408/OFT1152con.pdf

In short - the burden of proof is on the dealer / trader to demonstrate that any faults emerging within the first 6 months were not present at the time of sale. She is entitled to a repair or replacement.

Her claim is with the dealer, with whom she has a contractual relationship. VW need not be involved directly. If they are, it's for the dealer to chase them.

unclelonghair · 14 Feb 2013 at 23:12

As far as I am aware all the 1.4 TSi's are chain driven, so no cam belt to fail.

Participant · 14 Feb 2013 at 23:21

Seems I could be wrong then. Could have sworn I saw something about a belt chang in my service manual.

Uriel · 14 Feb 2013 at 23:26

http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4872 Sounds like water pump is a known problem on this engine. One or two cases of catastrophic loss of coolant. There is an upgraded part from VW.

Looks like the engine might be chain driven rather than a belt though.

jamoor · 15 Feb 2013 at 01:00

Which dealer did you buy it off?

This is a case of they should pay for the repairs as its a newish car, low miles and probably cost a lot of money to buy.
Completely reasonable to expect it to be put right.

Third Opinion · 15 Feb 2013 at 08:44

I am not sure what dealer it was from. It has been towed back to them now.

By the time I got there it was on the back of the truck. She said the water level light came on about 10 secs before it died. She was looking for a safe place to pull in.

It did apparently need topping up in the expansion tank the other week. She asked me to check the level on Sunday which was just below the maximum but well above the minimum so I left.

Whats the betting I get the blame now, lol

NathWraith · 15 Feb 2013 at 08:48

ah the classic 1.4 TSI

Third Opinion · 15 Feb 2013 at 16:42

She got it back, just a water pump seizure. Thankfully the engine stopped causing no more damage. All done under warranty which was a relief.

Steve_bullockuk · 15 Feb 2013 at 19:27

Third Opinion said:
She got it back, just a water pump seizure. Thankfully the engine stopped causing no more damage. All done under warranty which was a relief.

Water pump seizure at 26k is pretty ridiculous. I hope they fitted the upgraded part!

Dave L · 16 Feb 2013 at 08:04

VW build quality - nowhere near as good as it was.

CrimsonAvenger · 16 Feb 2013 at 09:01

You could say that about much of the industry. All about driving down costs. Excuse the pun

Glad to hear its all sorted and that no outlay was required.

Third Opinion · 16 Feb 2013 at 11:02

Dave L said:
VW build quality - nowhere near as good as it was.

I have never been a Golf fan. But I am really impressed by the visual quality of the body and interior.

I remember my Brother in law had a Mk2 back in the 90's. Now that was unreliable. Gearbox, rear suspension and if I recall the engine gave up in the end (about 112,000) it was only a 1.4 or about that size but not a great car.