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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Kamanchi Slide on 25 October 2005, 15:17

Title: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Kamanchi Slide on 25 October 2005, 15:17
Hello board i'm new to this forum and hope you lot can help me.  I've just taken my car to have it's MOT renewed, and while it was there i asked if they could see why it was overheating.  The guy at the garage said it was overheating cause the headgasket needed replacing or it needed a new head.  The car was overheating after standing still for 10/15 mins and this only happens when it's standing still, when i'm moving i don't get a problem.  I thought it would just be the thermostat as the heaters not working either.  Can anyone advise me if im being ripped off or does this sound like a head gasket or cracked head?  I was under the impression that if the head gasket had gone the oil would go creamy.
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Judderi on 25 October 2005, 15:20
Does sound suspicious to me. Does the radiator fan kick in? Is the water level ok?
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Kamanchi Slide on 25 October 2005, 15:22
Hello there.  Water level drops after a while and it'll steam from the resevouir but the fan works.
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Judderi on 25 October 2005, 15:41
You might have a blockage somewhere. If your not confident enought to check or flush the system then take the car somewhere else and get a second opinion.
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Kamanchi Slide on 25 October 2005, 15:42
Thanks for your help.  I'm waiting to hear back from someone as we speak.
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Aklass on 25 October 2005, 15:45
That does sound dodge :undecided:...  I would go for a thermostat first..  and get the air out the system...   If that doesnt work, then it could be the head. :sad:
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Rain on 25 October 2005, 15:58
faulty thermostat wont stop the heater getting water hot through it  :undecided: if its actually missing it might take longer to heat up but so would the engine and it wouldnt be overheating :S
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: ...joe on 25 October 2005, 19:31
i'd say if you've got steam coming out the cap it'd be worth changing the cap for a new blue coloured one from either vw garage or german and swedish.

the seals go in them and when you un-do the cap it never seats itself properly again. make sure you get a blue one though as they changed the design to improve it and colour coded it.
if that doesn't cure it at worst case its only cost you a few quid.
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Organisys on 25 October 2005, 21:18
also, take the cap off, and check coolant is being pumped around by seeing if some is being returned to the header tank via the little hose at the front of the bottle.
 :smiley:
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Mk2 Runout edition on 26 October 2005, 14:29
Are you sure it's overheating? If you're going by the dial on your instrument panel these can sometimes give faulse readings. Also i would change the temperature sender switch (only cost a couple of quid)
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Rain on 26 October 2005, 14:39
wish it did lol i got one for nothing in the end but vw wanted £22 for a sender :S
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Kamanchi Slide on 27 October 2005, 16:25
Thanks for all the feedback.  I got the car back from my mates garage today he replaced a connecting block for the fan....(which as it works out wasnt working.... :undecided:)  and now the car doesn't overheat.  The heater in the car still just blows cold but he says the head gaskets fine.  The cars back in the garage tomorrow for a retest and i cant wait to have a chat to the mechanic who tried to screw a few hundred quid out of me..... :angry:   Only problem now is i've had to disconnect the horn cause it wont stop sounding.....strange as it never happened before it went to the garage.

But once again folks thanks for your help

The garage in question is

Gloucester Volkswagen specialists
Pearce Way
Gloucester
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: rubjonny on 27 October 2005, 16:39
Sounds like the heater bypass valves are broken or the heater matrix is clogged.  All to common I'm afraid!
Title: Re: MkII Glof GTI 1.8 8v.
Post by: Organisys on 27 October 2005, 21:05
Try checking for airlocks in the heater matrix also, mine is always doing it. I have to bubble them out every few months.
 :smiley: