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Water pump/Thermostat worth replacing?

gixxerfool

Autocross Champion
Location
New Jersey
Car(s)
2016 Golf R
There is some overlap with pulling the intake for both jobs. But $1500 out the door isn’t unreasonable. I’m of the ilk, since you’re in there…$1500 is a tough nut to swallow but these are likely the most, if not only, problems with these cars engine wise. I would shop around for a trusted indie, but they might not be able to do much better. Hard to say with a labor rate difference.
 

Maybematt

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Los Angeles
Car(s)
2016 GTI SE (auto)
There is some overlap with pulling the intake for both jobs. But $1500 out the door isn’t unreasonable. I’m of the ilk, since you’re in there…$1500 is a tough nut to swallow but these are likely the most, if not only, problems with these cars engine wise. I would shop around for a trusted indie, but they might not be able to do much better. Hard to say with a labor rate difference.
Yeah $1500 isnt terrible. It’s only probably 200-300 more than an indie but I trust VW techs a bit more and the warranty to boot is nice. Hopefully they throw in the alignment as well, and at that point, itll be pretty worth imo.
If my luck doesnt fail, i wouldnt have to do another carbon clean & thermo for at least 5 years and im happy with that. I typically only put 3-5k miles a year on my cars. My bike sees the most miles.
I did find ONE german specialist nearby, wasnt the most friendly, and price wasnt that far off.
 

cbenjes

Go Kart Newbie
Location
Bel Air, MD
When did y'all do your first cleaning? I've read some forums and some people have waited until 100k+ to do it on the MK7 platform. The CEL + EPC light was related to the water pump from what the technician told me. So hoping it won't be an issue that bites me later.
Good to hear. I will probably push the carbon cleaning + thermo out for 2-3 years or 25k miles, which ever comes first.
Just had my cleaning done at 91K miles. I probably could have waited another 20K-plus miles. Said it was dirty, but not that bad. I do a lot of highway miles. The Mk6 GTI needed it done at 80K miles... It was bad. So VW has made some improvements.
 

Maybematt

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Los Angeles
Car(s)
2016 GTI SE (auto)
Just had my cleaning done at 91K miles. I probably could have waited another 20K-plus miles. Said it was dirty, but not that bad. I do a lot of highway miles. The Mk6 GTI needed it done at 80K miles... It was bad. So VW has made some improvements.
Thanks for the input! I talked to the manager and was finally able to haggle it down to $1,500 (after tax) for the thermo + walnut blast. They wouldn't budge on the alignment, but might get some floor mats lol (the previous owner made a big hole on the driver side somehow. Their original quote was $1950 before taxes, so about a 30% discount. Another shop quoted me about $1250ish, indie shop so probably no tax.
Might not need to do another carbon cleaning until 120k+ miles, and to be honest that'll probably take me like 10 years. Car might not last that long, or I may have a different car by then. Hopefully the thermostat last me longer than 5 years. I'll be fine with a little leak, as long as the sensor or whole pump doesn't fail.

Many people saying this is "typically" the only things you really have to worry about on the 2016 (which is why I opted for a 2016 or newer). The 2015 has turbo issues so hoping nothing is wrong with mine. Hoping nothing else is wrong, maybe i can start modding the suspension hehe.
 

Maybematt

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Los Angeles
Car(s)
2016 GTI SE (auto)
Just got the car back. Not sure how bad the carbon buildup is for a 57k vehicle since it’s my first time doing it. Car behaves so much better now. Smoother accel, and best part is the hesitation going from stop to go + downshifts from 3-2-1 are much smoother; that was a big complaint when i first got the car.
i did get my obd11 righht after, and i just bumped up idle 50 (max), and esc off function. Didnt realize how much our GTI TC actually intervened. For an average driver, asr/esc is a godsend and will almost never understeer unless youre driving like an idiot or know what youre doing… or both. I wonder if theres a way to permanently or have sport mode on default (for the more direct steering).

much better drivability now both as a easy commuter, and as a spirited/track vehicle. Now just limited by shitty tires, suspension, and brakes
 

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jimlloyd40

Autocross Champion
Location
Phoenix
Car(s)
2018 SE DSG
Just got the car back. Not sure how bad the carbon buildup is for a 57k vehicle since it’s my first time doing it. Car behaves so much better now. Smoother accel, and best part is the hesitation going from stop to go + downshifts from 3-2-1 are much smoother; that was a big complaint when i first got the car.
i did get my obd11 righht after, and i just bumped up idle 50 (max), and esc off function. Didnt realize how much our GTI TC actually intervened. For an average driver, asr/esc is a godsend and will almost never understeer unless youre driving like an idiot or know what youre doing… or both. I wonder if theres a way to permanently or have sport mode on default (for the more direct steering).

much better drivability now both as a easy commuter, and as a spirited/track vehicle. Now just limited by shitty tires, suspension, and brakes
If you're talking about the driving modes you can choose custom and set them individually.
 

Maybematt

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Los Angeles
Car(s)
2016 GTI SE (auto)
If you're talking about the driving modes you can choose custom and set them individually.
I did customize my individual driving mode. But it always defaults to normal, even if it says sport or individual. Can tell by steering feel, and default in regular drive instead of sport
 

The Fed

Old Guys Rule
Location
Florida

cbenjes

Go Kart Newbie
Location
Bel Air, MD
Just got the car back. Not sure how bad the carbon buildup is for a 57k vehicle since it’s my first time doing it. Car behaves so much better now. Smoother accel, and best part is the hesitation going from stop to go + downshifts from 3-2-1 are much smoother; that was a big complaint when i first got the car.
i did get my obd11 righht after, and i just bumped up idle 50 (max), and esc off function. Didnt realize how much our GTI TC actually intervened. For an average driver, asr/esc is a godsend and will almost never understeer unless youre driving like an idiot or know what youre doing… or both. I wonder if theres a way to permanently or have sport mode on default (for the more direct steering).

much better drivability now both as a easy commuter, and as a spirited/track vehicle. Now just limited by shitty tires, suspension, and brakes
Agreed, the car does run better after the carbon clean. As a matter of fact, I had my first clutch slip in 4th gear today, adding to the proof that the car is more responsive. It wasn't slipping before the carbon clean, but it is now - only under heavy accelleration in 4th or higher. It's getting to be time for a clutch upgrade!
 
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