car overheating

hey i got a golf gx 1.5 carb and it keeps gettin really hot any ideas what i can do?

Lots of factors to consider.

How long before it overheats?
Is it when under load and does the temp drop when back to idle?
Is there excessive pressure in the system?
Does the coolant smell like the exhaust a bit?
Is the coolant flowing (fan belt, water pump impellor)

Probably one of these:

Thermostat stuck
Blocked radiator
Head gasket


I would try taking the thermostat off first and put it in a saucepan of water and heat it up until it opens. if you have a thermometer even better you can see at what point it opens. If it doesn't open before the water boils then hey presto! Your thermostats broke. If it does then you are probably looking at a more expensive problem.

cheers manxxxxx

first check the water level then leave the car running and see if the fan cuts in or not. easy thing to elliminate. on the gti's )not sure on yours) you can leave the expansion cap off (don't take it off when it's hot. just undo it while it's cold and start the engine) you can see the water circulating back into the expansion tank. simple and easy and could give a better idea from there as to what's going on.

Overheating
1. Only half feel expansion tank!
2. Fit new water pump if water not circulating.
3. Don,t ignore or cam belt turns to spagetti.
4. If will not restart because to hot then bonnet up bottom pulley give a tug/ move and it will start!
5. Not forgetting the thermostat!
I know this because I have spent a week sorting out