How to Replace the Water Pump in a VW Jetta

The water pump is the heart of the VW Jetta's cooling system, circulating the coolant. Make sure to change out a faulty water pump in your Volkswagon Jetta, which could cause the engine to overheat resulting in serious damage.

Instructions

Diesel Engines and 4-Cylinder Gasoline Jetta Engines

1

Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. When the engine is cool, drain the cooling system from the radiator into the pan. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2

Take out the drive belt, the alternator and the timing belt cover.

3

Disconnect the following hoses from the water pump: the engine hose, heater hose and the lower radiator hoses.

4

Loosen and remove the water pump bolts, taking note of where you have removed them for installation, as they are various lengths.

5

Remove the water pump, turning it just slightly to remove it from the engine block. Separate the water pump pulley from the pump.

6

Clean all the mating surfaces and attach the pulley to the new pump.

7

Put a good amount of silicone compound onto the seals of the pump and install new o-ring seals. Install the new pump into the engine with a new pump gasket, tightening the bolts to 7 foot pounds (10 Nm).

8

Tighten the bolts to the pulley to 15 foot pounds (20 Nm) after the belt has been installed and tensioned.

9

Reattach and reconnect all remaining parts in the order in which they were removed.

10

Refill the cooling system and reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and check for leaks when it reaches normal operating temperature.

5-Cylinder Jetta Engines

11

Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. When the engine is cool, drain the cooling system from the radiator into the pan. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

12

Loosen the three water pump pulley bolts and remove the V-belts and the timing belt with the cover. Take out the water pump bolts and remove the pulley.

13

Loosen and remove the intermediate shaft drive sprocket bolt. Take the sprocket out of the engine.

14

Take off the water pump bolts and remove the pump. Clean the gasket surface thoroughly.

15

Attach the water pump pulley to the new pump and install the new pump with a new o-ring seal. Put plenty of silicone compound onto the o-ring and attach a new pump gasket onto the pump housing when installing.

16

Attach all the bolts to the water pump to the pump housing by hand, then tighten all the bolts to the 15 foot pounds (20 Nm).

17

Tighten all the bolts to the pulley to 15 foot pounds (20 Nm) after the belt is installed and tensioned.

18

Reattach and reconnect all remaining parts in the order in which they were removed.

19

Refill the cooling system and reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and check for leaks when it reaches normal operating temperature.

20

Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. When the engine is cool, drain the cooling system from the radiator into the pan. Disconnect the negative battery cable.