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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: ullevi on 16 June 2009, 12:45

Title: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 16 June 2009, 12:45
I have had the problem of overheating on my Golf for the last few weeks and have put it into the garage on 2 occasions to have this sorted. It is a MK5 1.4 with 38,000 miles on the clock.

1st visit they replaced the water pump as they said there was a hole in it and then did the cam belts at the same time which they said would remedy the problem. This failed to sort the problem but did stop the leaking coolant. They also replaced the thermostat as they said the piece that broke of the water pump had gone through the thermostat.

I then put it back to the garage after it was still overheating after short runs and long runs and they said one of the relays had been boiled which they assured me was a common problem.

I was away for the weekend and after a long run i thought i would leave the car running whilst it was stationery and the heat just kept going up until the red light came on again.

What advice could anyone gove me on this problem??
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: AlanD on 16 June 2009, 12:59
Are you losing coolant or are the coolant levels staying normal but just not circulating properly thus overheating the car?
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 16 June 2009, 13:03
At the start it was losing coolant all the time but now it seems to be holding the coolant but still overheating, as i have said they have replaced the water pump, thermostat and a bolied sensor.

Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: AlanD on 16 June 2009, 13:07
I had issues with my coolant. I was losing coolant at the flange where it enters the system. Have a quick read of this thread, might be of use.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=100997.0
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 16 June 2009, 13:19
They have done a pressure test on the car and said it is not leaking anywhere :sad:

Seems to be something small but annoying not getting it fixed!!
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: AlanD on 16 June 2009, 13:21
If the pressure test came out fine that implies there is no leak or blockage in the system. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :undecided:

Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 16 June 2009, 13:37
Exactly

They have run it on the computer as well and say that there are no problems showing up with that either, the one problem it showed was the boiled sensor and they fixed that, a real head scratcher
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ub7rm on 16 June 2009, 16:59
Presumably the pressure test was a static test which wouldn't have shown up any blockages - the pressure would just merrily push against the blockage.

I'd bet that there are bit of that water pump in your system somewhere causing you grief.  Wouldn't take much to block the rad...

Are your fans kicking in properly albeit not helping the situation?
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 16 June 2009, 17:18
The piece of water pump he showed me that had come of looked like a big bit but could well be that is the problem.

The temp seems to rise if stuck in traffic, if on a long run it seems to be fine on the long run but as soon as you stop in traffic the temp will start to rise and if the jam is big enough it rises to 130 degrees everytime!!

The coolant seems fine now and settled at a steady level, I marked it with a pen last week and it seems to be fine.

If there is a blockage how would the gargae find out where it is?

The fans seem to kick in fine at all times
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ub7rm on 16 June 2009, 17:58
It would be very difficult to find, I guess trying to dislodge it by taking components apart and pushing water at high pressure through them would be one way.

Another thought is that its not beyond the realms of possibility that they fitted a duff pump.
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: neo66 on 18 June 2009, 16:52
only had a quick read of this thread, did they fully bleed the system out
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 19 June 2009, 08:11
How would they have done that??

It seems to have sorted itself out a fair bit as has not overheated at all this week, I am going to go on another long run this weekend and see if it still overheats on a long run and hopefully it doesnt
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ub7rm on 19 June 2009, 12:14
I think WILLZIE might have nailed it... Bleeding the system makes sure there aren't any air bubles in the system.  This would effectively be a blockage.  Maybe its cleared itself...
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 19 June 2009, 13:44
It certainly seems to be a bit better this week, would running it have cleared the system out slowly?

Cheers for all the help lads much appreciated
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: neo66 on 19 June 2009, 21:18
What ub7rm said, when ever a systems coolant is changed its needed to be bleed out so you dont have a blockage in the coolant pipe!, if this isn't done the heater won't blow hot air and the temp will rise most times. It can sometimes self clear but every mechanic should know/do this (unless you have had an apprentice on it!?) to a vehicle when played with. :smiley:
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 22 June 2009, 11:36
It is overheating again so going to get onto the garage again today and will ask them if they bled the system after topping up the coolant!!!!!
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: AlanD on 22 June 2009, 11:47
argh ! Sounds like a right nightmare you got there :(
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 25 June 2009, 10:18
Update on this problem

The water pump has been changed and the timing belts in the first visit to the garage, I put it back a second time and they found a switch had boiled and they changed that for nothing and i was still having problems so I put it back again on Tuesday and they said they found another switch had gone so changed that and said that would be it sorted this time. I proceeded to take the car home last night and it was fine but i got stuck in traffic later at night and the coolant began to leak again not totally finished but below the min level and the engine was smoking!!!!

Anyone any ideas on this and a good place to take it to in Aberdeen as after 3 visits to the first garage I am beginning to get a bit impatient!!!!
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ub7rm on 25 June 2009, 12:09
I take it this was specialist cars you went to?

Try Bavaria Auto Werke, VolksCentre out in Kingswells or C&D Autos in Banchory.  All are VAG specialists.  A good all round garage but not especially VAG specialists (although they all drive audi's...) are J Coopers and Sons just of George Street.  Its a small family owned garage and the service is fantastic  :wink:
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 25 June 2009, 12:15
No it was a garage out in Dyce!!!

Might try Volks Centre as I have heard a lot of good reports about them

Cheers mate

Do you work at J Cooper and son
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ub7rm on 25 June 2009, 12:31
No!  I used them for my older mk4 and still would for minor bits and pieces on the mk5 but tend to use the stealer for servicing at the moment for the mk5.

Used volkcentre once and had no complaints.  Just a point worth making is that I got a quote from them to do a service this week which was £20 more than speccy cars wanted....
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 25 June 2009, 12:46
Cheers mate

I am going to phone them both (volks centre & specialist cars) and see what they say and then take it from there!!!
Title: Re: OverHeating
Post by: ullevi on 26 June 2009, 16:03
Update again

It seems to be the radiator fan that wasnt cutting in and not cooling the engine so the temp went up!!!

Cheers for all the help