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1.3 Driver overheating very quickly

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1.3 Driver overheating very quickly

Not sure what the problem is really.    The car was stored and not used for about 2 years but in this time it was started up etc.  Then last week it went back on the road with a service also.  For the first 3 days i had no problem with overheating but then all of a sudden it decided it was too hot and the thermostat gauge starting moving to the right  and the light was coming on.  I stopped and let the car cool down for about 10 mins before setting off back home.  Then the minute the car was beginning to push/work e.g. up a hill the light would come back on and then when accelerating it would also overheat.  Anyone know why this might be happening, the conclusions i have thought of so far are head gasket and thermostat but not too sure.  Any info on this would be great.

Cheers

Alex

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read this:
If you have an issue with the coolant system, the 1st thing to change is the header tank cap (MK1/2/3 Golf/Polo/Passat etc). The older black caps have a problem with the pressure valve in the cap which can vent to late/early, so its always a good idea to upgrade to a new blue one.

The system takes just over 5 litrs when empty, there will always be some coolant left in the block unless you remove the thermostat though
Use G12+ coolant from VW, or G12 from AVS Car Parts - [The VW - Audi - Seat - Skoda Parts Specialist]
Use at least 40% coolant, I normally use a 50:50 mix in my GTI 8v and it runs nice & cool

Bleeding the system after refilling:
Run the engine from cold with the cap off and rev it to 2k now and again.  While you are doing this squeeze all the pipes you can get your hands on, and keep the coolant level topped up.  It will eventually start to boil over, at this point turn the engine off.  Once its settled down top it up to the max mark and you should be good to go!

Checking the operation of the system:
Check the lower rad pipe is stone cold until the temp gauge reaches the half way point, if it gets lukewarm straight away then the thermostat is stuck open or missing, if it stays cold then it is stuck shut.
Check the fan kicks in when the gauge gets near 3/4, if not disconnect the plug from the radiator sender in the bottom, passenger side of the rad & bridge the pins.  If the fan spins then the temp sender is broken, if not jump the fan direct from the battery, if it still dont spin then the fan is knackered

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:

VAG Documents & Downloads

You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)

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Thank you, do you know where i can get a new blue cap from?  As the one on vw spares is pictures black.

Alex

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Thanks Matt

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Is the fan definitely coming on and is there enough coolant etc before you start buying things..

Have you checked the hoses etc as described above?

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Fan comes on as i can hear it sometimes after I stop.  There is enough coolant in the system also.  Haven't checked the system yet but will give it a once over tomorrow.

Alex

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the one on avs is blue, the picture is black & white ;)

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:

VAG Documents & Downloads

You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)

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I'd replace the thermostat and coolant. Give it a propper flush out too and see where you stand

1272 driver with a magic tree!!

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Ordered new thermostat and expansion tank cap as they're cheap will see what happens then, and need to check everything after i put them on too.

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I had a similar thing with my 1.1,

I changed the thermostat, flushed the radiator and changed the cap and it made quite a bit of difference.

But then the head gasket went pop lol
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