First Line has introduced a replacement water pump with an electric valve to accommodate a range of VAG vehicles equipped with stop/start technology. The pump, part no. FWP2352V, fits; Audi A1, A3, A4, A5 and Q3, Seat Leon, Škoda Octavia, VW Passat, Golf, Tiguan and Transporter 1.6TD and 2.0TD 2012 applications.

The new water pump was introduced by the vehicle manufacturer to maintain greater control of the engine temperature, particularly on initial start-up and following prolonged periods of rest during the start/stop process. This helps the vehicle’s emissions stay lower than they would be with a traditional pump.

At initial start-up, when the engine is cold, the valve restricts the flow of the coolant to allow the engine to warm as quickly and efficiently as possible, before working as a conventional unrestricted pump once the engine reaches its normal operating temperature. During the start/stop process the pump is able to control, via the vehicle’s ECU, the coolant flow through its valve, to ensure the engine temperature does not drop below a pre-determined level. This keeps the vehicle at its optimal running temperature, thus keeping the emissions down.

First Line can also supply the pump in a version without the valve, were price is a key factor, however, the company does not recommend this as it is not in line with OE specification.
 
First Line Global Marketing Director, Jon Roughley, said, “This electric valve water pump is an exciting VM development, specifically designed to help reduce emissions and it’s the responsibility of the workshop to ensure these standards are retained following the service and repair of these vehicles. We pride ourselves on providing the aftermarket with a comprehensive and reliable replacement solution across a broad range of product groups and this water pump is the latest example of how we constantly introduce the products that workshops need, to allow them to do so.”