How to Remove the Water Pump on a 2001 VW Jetta 2.8

The water pump circulates coolant through the engine, preventing it from overheating. The water pump in a VW Jetta works with the main accessory drive belt, but you must remove the timing belt and other components to reach it. You should always check with your mechanic before you try to remove the water pump or perform any other major maintenance or repairs.

Instructions

1

Raise the car's front end and support it on jack stands. Open the hood and remove the engine cover.

2

Relieve the fuel pressure by removing the fuel pump fuse from the fuse box, opening the fuel cap, starting the engine and letting it run until it stalls. Disconnect the negative battery cable afterward.

3

Drain the engine coolant by placing a large container under the radiator drain and loosening the drain fitting; you may need pliers on the fitting and a 3/8-inch diameter hose on the drain. Repeat this at the engine block drain plug.

4

Remove the drive belt by rotating the belt tensioner with a wrench to loosen the tension.

5

Remove the fuel lines from the fuel distribution block. Remove the spark plugs, the upper, center and lower timing belt covers, the engine under cover, the lower fender apron and the lower hoses and pipes that connect the intercooler to the turbocharger. You must do this to access the timing belt.

6

Remove the timing belt--rotate the engine clockwise with a breaker bar and socket until the Number 1 piston is at the Top Dead Center position. Make sure the camshaft sprocket mark aligns with the rear belt cover's mark and compress the tensioner piston with an M5x55 stud, nut and washer until the holes in the piston and tensioner housing align.

7

Disconnect the water pump's mounting bolts to remove it. It's best to give each bolt a quarter to half turn of the wrench one at a time, so you can remove each bolt evenly.