OVERHEATING ON IDLE

[karl1987]

turn the car on and its fine, automatic choke has no interference and it runs well. driving along is good to there is enough air getting to the engine but when it sits at lights or any where for that fact and its not moving just idling it starts to overheat and gets to like 105!!!! i can reduce it by turning the heating on but dont want to spend summer with the heating on four blasting out cooking my face!!!!!

its 1.4 95 rabbit. any suggestions?

[dom]

105 isn't too bad, mine runs anywhere between 98 - 104 depending on conditions! You could try changing your thermostat, they're not too expensive and a fairly easy job to change. I think you can either get a one to run at 87 or one to run at 93 depending on preferance. But don't quote me on that!

[Christo77]

Hi there..  doesn't sound too drastic but you might want to have a look at your cooling system to start with, coolant level/quality/leaks.. are the fans working/cutting in when they should etc..

Christo

[karl1987]

only problem is that bothers me is that it smells like it is burning when i turn the heaters on kinda lika a gasket problem but im pretty sure it isnt as have donte necessar checks to make sure!

[Christo77]

I assume your oil level/quality is all ok..?  no air lock in the cooling system..?
I don't know about the heating system on yours whether or not it's heater matrix job but they can cause problems if the cooling system is neglected..

[Rmachines]

Is the fan cutting in?

Thermostat would usually cause it to boil over under all conditions as it bypasses the radiator, if it cools down when driving its not that.

Sounds like the thermo switch for the fan,  Look down the right hand side of the radiator (i think) might be ther other side on yours,  there is a sensor threaded in, near the bottom, disconnect it, bridge it with a bit of wire so the fan constantly runs,  idle the car for a while and see if she stays cool!  I recommend idling it untill it start to over heat, bridge it then idle again, you will see a clear diffrence.

If that fixes the problem, its time for a new thermo switch!   

[rubjonny]

i wouldnt worry about temps of 104, thats about right for when the fan should kick in. if the fan does kick in, then all is well.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=106380.0

the burning smell could be down to it having a replacement heater matrix

[karl1987]

think i have worked it out, needs an oil change. i think that is what the burnin smell is!