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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Amzy-Bear on 01 April 2009, 00:19

Title: mk3 help.
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 01 April 2009, 00:19

i already posted a thread in VW related,
but thought id do one closer to home in the mk3 section,
cut a long story short.
car was steaming and smoking from water cap, leaking lots of water.
left it an hour, filled water up, left it run for 10mins, was fine. drove it for 5 mins, temp gauge was flashin, and it was smoking like S**T. Initially though the head was gone, but left it over night and there was no cream or milky crap in the oil. then i though water pump or thermo-stat. my dads mate think thermo-stat.

any ideas ? rough prices aswell.
please get back.
Thanks
Amz

Title: Re: mk3 help.
Post by: slicksps on 01 April 2009, 01:18

I'm voting thermostat as well though I've no experience on this so have little to no credibility.

The car is overheating and that is controlled by the cooling system controlled by the thermostat. As you have steam, the cooling system is topped up and presumably working (although not guaranteed)

Costs not a clue, both are very easy to change with the right book and tools. (from experience, if you have little experience, make sure you have a backup... I replaced the timing belt a couple of weeks ago and got stuck at the last stage trying to remove a flipping bolt... had to get a mechanic to come to me to undo with an impact driver.) This is certainly the cheapest option.

Title: Re: mk3 help.
Post by: VR6-Joe on 01 April 2009, 07:57

I'd say it was definately your thermostat as I had the same problem with my VR6 Highline. Pressure was building up and the water wanted to burst out of the water bottle lol

Title: Re: mk3 help.
Post by: gazpowells on 01 April 2009, 19:50

I would say thermostat 2  mate

easy job and not so expensive

thermostat and new antifreeze should cost no more than £25   :smiley:

Title: Re: mk3 help.
Post by: Len on 01 April 2009, 23:52

Expect you can get a price for thermostat on line at GSF of Eurocarparts.
And if coolant looks ok no need to replace just top up.

Title: Re: mk3 help.
Post by: robiwill on 02 April 2009, 00:05

when you run the car from cold does the top rad hose get hot and the bottom one stay cold if so could also be the waterpump

Title: Re: mk3 help.
Post by: Khare on 02 April 2009, 00:14

my bet is the thermostat. Only afew quid from gsf, and make sure you buy thermostat seal too, and maybe even the thermostat housing, as the old one could well be brittle. You need to remove PAS pump to change it though, its a fiddly job but possible in under an hour.

Title: Re: mk3 help.
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 02 April 2009, 17:07

right so looks to be thermo stat.
really appreciate the help lads.
thanks.

Amer