Mk2 16v sauna!!

[gixerthrasher]

  There I was, happy as Larry? with my '90 16v, weather was great and very warm sitting in the afternoon traffic, when suddenly BANG-PFSSSSSST-AAARGH! my heater matrix blew up, showering my feet in boiling coolant.. Well, I got her towed home, stripped out the matrix to find a big chunk of the top casing with FRANCE marked on it, had blown out!
Not only that, my water pump is knackered and the thermostat side pump casing has a crack in it!
Now does anyone know if this part can still be bought? If not I'm going to need a good S/H one, if anyone can help, please?
So I am replacing the matrix, water pump, thermostat and all coolant hoses, can anyone tell me please where the water pressure regulator is, so I can replace that.. Haynes manual has F/A info.
Thanks guys..

[rubjonny]

Could be worse, it could have happened in the winter!
All the bits you need can be bought from http://www.gsfcarparts.com.  If you buy the slightly more expensive one, you can do away with the bypass valves to get blistering heat   You can either bridge the gaps in the old hose with some copper piping, or buy a new pair of uncut hoses from GSF.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'water pressure regulator' I assume you mean the bypass valves VW fitted as part of a recall to prevent the matrix blowing!  As I said if you get the better quality matrix from GSF you don't need them any more as the matrix has been redesigned

[gixerthrasher]

Thanx Jonny, have picked me up a new water pump which is a complete unit, I didn't realize this, so that's "cool"
Yep, thas' what I meant, a by-pass valve.. Must have been "by-passed" as the previous owner has used heavy steel tubing to connect the pipes together that go to the matrix.. So is that right GSF do complete pipes that fit without using the by-pass valve? Have been riding round motor factors to try find one that fits with a bend at one end!
One last thing, is it advisable to use blue gasket sealant when fitting the new pump, it came with new O rings, just wondered if these are enough?

[Dizzie]

O rings should be enough. I've never used a sealent when fitting brand new parts. make sure the surface it's sealing is clean and smooth obviously

[DarnPB]

You can use vaseline or silicone grease (NOT SEALANT) to lube the ´O´rings to make an easy fit. Use sparingly though.

[rubjonny]

no sealant should be necessary as said, and yes GSF do uncut heater matrix hoses

[gusto]

your lucky i had that happen when i was doing 50 mph and could not see any thing thought the car was blowing up lol i can say make sure you have the valves that go on the pipes just befor it go,s in to the bulk head it was a recall and it stops that from happining again just ask at a vw place they tell you there about 9 pound each makes you feel safe anyway lol