My Golf R Coolant Fix | Thermostat and Water Pump Replaced

I discuss the repair for my Golf R coolant leak. This is a very common problem for Golf R's and other VAG cars with the EA888 engine and I hope my thoughts here help you should this occur for yourself.
#coolant #thermostat #golfr

[@H-jb4tf]

I goot the mk 7.5. 106,000km and no issues,..... yet. I think it got sorted for the later models.

[@SamAustin]

That is great to hear how long your MK7.5 R has lasted. Fingers crossed mine should be good going forward into the future and likewise with yours 🎉

[@rafgecko7112]

Hi, im in UK and got gti 2017 with 50k on clock . Same issue with water. Pump . Contacted Vw and told them that’s it’s should be recall on it . But they basically doesn’t care . Also spoke with Vw specialist and they said it’s likely happening again cos part it’s exactly same with plastic housing. Guys in states has at least extended warranty on pump ( USA vw care more ) and it’s now 8 years or 80,000 miles which ever comes first. So I think people in UK and Europe should start campaign against Vw . Cos this is unacceptable for the brand !

[@SamAustin]

I heard this too about the recall in the North America. Technically I would also be able to claim back around £800 for the replacement I had on mine if it was not for the fact I am in the UK. I just hope the parts used to replace it hold strong.........so far no issues and this video is a year or two old now 👍

[@stevedavey82]

Glad you got it sorted mate , and another thing I really do appreciate all your videos 👍

[@SamAustin]

Me too! Thank you for the support to the channel and I am glad you are enjoying the content 👍

[@Positively_positive24-7]

I’ve got a 19 plate estate and suspect mine is leaking. My windscreen is covered in condensation when I get back to the car on a sunny day (like today) and have a weird smell I can’t describe in the car. Had a low coolant light on the other day, think this could be a water pump/housing?

[@SamAustin]

I would have it checked out for sure. Is your coolant low when you look under the bonnet and is coolant dripping from your car? Mine started slow and then it all came at once.....best to get it sorted or at least checked as soon as possible.

[@richardsolley4897]

All booked in for the 11 September 😮

[@paulwoods4094]

Thanks for posting the video Sam, did they say whether it is more of an 'R' problem or can it afflict the GTI too? I have a GTI MY2020 (69 plate), so hoping mine will be ok to stand the test of time!

[@SamAustin]

No worries! When speaking to SCC they said they get Cupra's / GTi's and R's quite often so it looks as though it is something you will have to have on the back of your mind. Truth be told, there are cheaper cars we can all own if we have to 😁

[@youraveragejoe1]

2:56 I just bought a Seat Leon 1.4 tsi from a Seat main dealer. When I checked, the coolant was below minimum but it showed no sign of leaking and didn’t overheat on the test drive. Do you think it could be a similar issue with the engine in your R? it had a service 5 months ago. Sorry I don’t know much about mechanical things lol

[@shaneosullivan929]

Same problem thermostat housing leaking and need to replace water pump 40k miles. Garage is recommending to do the timing belt too because its 5 years old 🤷‍♂️

[@SamAustin]

Yep but the car is all good now and happy to enjoy it. I believe these MK7 R's are chain driven so no timing belt 👍

[@sanjaystuart]

I've done 2 water pumps, first one 75,000 dealer paid for it second onc 160,000 very expensive here in Australia.

[@SamAustin]

Wow that is expensive. I love the car but it is a shame about this common problem 🤔

[@geoffm3158]

My R is has just had second water pump change. Also one new thermostat previously too.. Car on 75k miles. Bought the extended warranty so all covered. I'd recommend it!

[@SamAustin]

Thank you for sharing your feedback. Who did you go for with the warranty and how much if you dont mind me asking?

[@philiphudson8968]

What year is your car and who did you go to for the extended warranty please mate?

[@geoffm3158]

It's a VW all parts warranty. Costs £330 a year. I have a £100 excess. Took it out when the original expired. You can buy it online. I also had a haldex replaced a few years back so I think I've got my money's worth! My car is a 2014 R.

[@misterjones5238]

@@geoffm3158I’ve got extended warranty on mime. Can they fix it under warranty?

[@philiphudson8968]

The parts if genuine VW parts, come with 2 years parts warranty 👍🏾

[@SamAustin]

I believe they are although the guy at the main desk said 1 year to me when I asked.

[@philiphudson8968]

@@SamAustin I work for Audi and all VAG parts hold a 2 year parts warranty as far as I’m aware. Will have to check on that to see if it’s changed.

[@caseyshepherd3882]

Hi Sam can you do a video about how much for replacing the clutch and when do you know you need to change it. Coz I own a manual golf too and I am thinking about to replace the clutch. Thx a lot mate. 😊

[@SamAustin]

I have found a video on it here but will create a playlist to help further: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqHGXpVuoJiErpY

[@caseyshepherd3882]

@@SamAustin cheers mate

[@thirteen2342]

Pleased your car is all sorted. I was under the impression the revised part sorted this problem, the housing is plastic which fails the new one was metal. Is this not the case?

[@SamAustin]

Thanks mate! Me too. I believe there have been revisions but I do not know if this has now been replaced with a metal part. If there is a way I can check let me know and I'll have a look 👍

[@thirteen2342]

@@SamAustin I don't think you can looking but the latest revision number is 06L121111P i think. If you have this revision all should be good. I've got all this to come to

[@thirteen2342]

I was wrong about the metal part Sam the picture I've seen is the housing with and without the water pump which is metal. Its the plastic housing and gaskets that's been revised so fingers crossed

[@davidmoore2916]

Just had my water pump changed last week at 29000k miles got a bill for £1007 for it luckily I have a warranty took my car back 2 days later had the same issue with coolant bowl readings got told it was airlock and keep an eye on it for the next 2 weeks

[@SamAustin]

Warranty at its best! Although I know how it feels as it is not nice to have such an issue as it does put your car out of action. Hope everything gets sorted soon and you can continue to enjoy the car going forward 👍

[@ShinyShoesTech]

Did it end up being an air lock or did you need it topping up?

[@nickaf5262]

Vw always tell me how much the job costs before they start work

[@SamAustin]

That is a good point. The company here gave me an estimate of £400-£500 when I first phoned them up. Although I was always expecting between £600-£800 based on checking forums and seeing quotes from other companies. In the end the price would have been a bit less if I did not have the extra issue which added to the price in parts and to the labor time

[@saviomoniz6089]

Did you ask the main dealer why they didn’t spot the leak and the other issues when they were servicing it?

[@nickaf5262]

@@saviomoniz6089 it probably wasn’t leaking when they serviced it

[@kiritokun1791]

Glad its sorted. Though for a car thats done under 50k, it isnt good

[@SamAustin]

Me too! I agree it's not good at all and we'll have to see what happens in the future with the my R

[@paultaylor5542]

Mine has the same problem it's only done 16k miles. Not happy at all with VW

[@MrCheeseman1982]

I’m the same only done 13,500k and been quoted just over 1k I’m fuming with vw

[@sibzilla]

Cheers for posting this vid. Handy for me as now I have the same leak. I have a manual so not looking forward to that inevitable outcome but at least I’m prepared. The old days of German quality are long gone, but they are nice places to sit and the power they make is daft for 2 litres and a tiny turbo.

[@SamAustin]

No worries! Really glad it has helped. For us, the clutch and the thermostat are really the two big bills that can happen. It has been trouble free for me other than those two over the last 5 1/2 years. Yes the power is great considering the size of the engine 👍

[@sibzilla]

@@SamAustin like you, I received a quote from a specialist who will do the same work and it comes in around £800. New thermostat, pump, belt, coolant etc. I spoke to VW who refused to quote without diagnosis (£169 for that) and can’t do it before December because too many broken VAG’s and not enough techs. In fairness I’m glad to avoid them as last time they did a service they managed to disconnect an AC drain causing interior flooding on the wife’s Touareg, so imagine they are probably overworked, underpaid and demoralised.

[@sibzilla]

Following up. It’s been done and the costs were: 399 for parts and 215 for Labour (3.3 hours) and then tax on top of that. Seems fairly reasonable having seen how much of a pain it looks to do yourself. Parts were thermostat, waterpump, union, belt, bolt + new coolant. Now that it’s done it feels like it drives better. A bit like when I’ve cleaned it. All in my head but glad for the peace of mind 👍🏼

[@dasauto44]

Thats much cheaper than US service cost....

[@SamAustin]

It will likely be more in todays prices as this was filmed 2 years ago

[@richardsolley4897]

Just been quoted £750 local garage

[@SamAustin]

Yes that sounds about the right mark for this to be done ✔️

[@richardsolley4897]

@@SamAustin Didn’t even bother with a main dealer i just asked the garage we’re I took it in for an mot and I just asked for them to do a pressure test I had been topping it up over the last month and he confirmed the water pump.

[@andrewjohnston2901]

you'v treated that car soo well but still got it by the 2 big weaknesses on that car !! shocking realy for a german car

[@SamAustin]

Thank you. There is 100% nothing anyone can do about these issues.....it is pot luck. I have spoken to owners who have not had an issue in 90K miles of driving so it is really hard to tell what the difference is. Fingers crossed these revised parts, on both the clutch and the thermostat, hold strong well into the future and I will keep everyone posted on the channel 👍

[@timbo031170]

Just been quoted £851 🤦‍♂️

[@SamAustin]

That's about right unfortunately with the labor being the main part. Well worth sorting though and your car will be back to it's best in no time 🙂

[@simonfrench4972]

Should be a re-call for it as it's a known issue. Typical of VW Audi group....won't admit any liability.

[@SamAustin]

100% agree. I am really surprised they have not done something to help resolve the issue as it is very common.