Help with overheating 99 1.8T Quattro Sport.

[stevenebie]

Hi,

I'm looking for some help. I had the coolant system warning come on this evening after a 15 minute journey and the temp gauge was showing about 110 degC. The level in the system is okay and the coolant looks healthy. The only thing I noticed was the 2nd electric fan didn't appear to be cutting in. What should i be checking to try and trace the fault?

Thanks,

Steven.

 

[aragorn]

At a guess, the plastic impeller on the water pump has parted company, and the shaft is just idly spinning away, or perhaps the small belt that runs between the PAS and the water pump has gone missing.

 

[stevenebie]

Cheers for the reply.

Had it in at a local VAG specialist to get a timing belt kit fitted a month ago. When I booked it in they said the water pump would be changed as part of the timing belt kit. I've just had a look at the invoice and it mentions various rollers and belts but no pump. I'll take it back to them tomorrow and get them to investigate as I had assumed the pump would have been renewed then, it may not have been though.

 

[aragorn]

The pump is "external" on a B5, doesnt run off the timing belt, and is mounted outside the timing case.

Check the little belt to be sure, but if its intact then its quite likely the pump.

 

[Talkwrench]

Have a look at your thermostat fella, sounds like the culprit to me.

 

[mwarrey]

It is possible to change the thermostat without removing the pump, although it is a bit fiddly, and it is worth trying first. My money is on the pump though!

The water pump isn't run off the timing belt but it is worth changing at the same time as its only a little extra labour.