I have a 2001 Passat V6 30V Passat (ATQ engine) with about 65k miles. I have read elswhere about water pump problems (plastic impeller) with this engine but I do not know if the problem was resolved before my engine was built or if the problem was resolved at all. My car is an Auto and is not driven hard; it is currently running like new.
My questions are:
- Have any of you experienced water pump failure with this engine? after how many miles?
- Is a timing belt replacement required by 60k. (The VW documentation has some conflicts in this area)
- is it likely that I could experience a 'early' water pump failure that would ultimately damage the engine as others have suggested?
For example, i found this on vw.com website today:
"Timing Belt replace - Recommended replacement at 40,000 miles (64,000 km) and 80,000 miles (128,000 km)" in regards to this model year and engine.
However, the chart on the same vw.com page only shows to check the timing belt at 40k miles. Also my owner's manual only specifies to check the timing belt at 40k intervals but I am not sure what exactly to check for.
My thinking is that the most conservative thing to do would be to replace the timing belt, water pump, possibly idlers and the coolant as PM but this much service this soon seems excessive and expensive.
any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!