1.3 radiator...

just got a 83 1.3 jetta, and seems to be running quite hot, when im sat in traffic the gauge will raise nearly to the top and the light will start blinking, the fan kicks in and seems to stop it from rising any further, when i got home tonight i felt all the pipes and they were all hot, top hose alot warmer than the bottom, heater blows nice and warm but when i felt the rad it didn't seem as hot as i thought it would and looks pretty battered. just wondered if this could be my problem? and what radiator is best to get / will fit, seen a mk2 1.3 rad on ebay if that would fit, or would it be recommended to upgrade to a better rad and fan if so what is the best route to go down?

cheers

Olie

on a long run the gauge sits in the middle, slower speeds maybe like around 30 it sits about three quarters of the way up sometimes a little more

hey mate

could be

 that your headgasket has gone this will cause car to run hot.

 timing could be out also makes the car run hot

 i told my father about your problem he is a mechanic

but its just a suggestion he may be wrong

hope this helps

david =]

Mines doing this too! I drained the coolant, flushed the rad and its running just above the middle of the temp gauge now.

Right in middle even in traffic and when stopped?

Nah not by a long way, Its in between middle and 3 quarters in traffic.

Gonna start to investigate this soon, let us know if you figure it out, and I'll do the same!

Timing issue, or fuelling issue - either richen the mixture on the carb, or retard the timing, one should limit the overheating.

Oh, might be worth changing the thermostat as well. Very cheap part.