Coolant overflow

[phatsam2003]

Cheers for the responses guys. I'm really not happy at the mo, I was so excited when I got this, now it just seems like a huge mistake. 

I've been to the garage and asked some advise. They pretty much said the same thing, start with the thermostat, check for a rad block and check the water pump. Then if it's still doing it get the coolant tested.

He said if it is the head gasket then I'm looking at 700-1000 to get it done, depending on how bad it goes.

Thanks again fellas, I really appreciate the advise.

check the coolant faq that i put together, tells you how to bleed it, how to check the waterpump works etc.  by the sounds of it I'd say either an air lock or the waterpump is weak.

its been moved to the MK2 section, it was stickied in the garage section before
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=106380.0

Cheers rubjonny, I'll defo be checking that out   

[phatsam2003]

Ok so tried again today, but changed the reservoir cap for the one off of my GTi.

Started her up leaving her to idle, and kept squeezing all the coolant hoses.

The top rad hose gets hotter a lot quicker than the bottom, the bottom one does catch up but it takes about 5 mins longer, and then its not quite as hot.
Also the coolant hoses do get hard, but not rock solid, there is still give when you squeeze them.

So anyway the engine oil gets to about 82 degrees, the fan kicks in and the coolant temp light comes on. The coolant temp gauge never moves past 60 degrees! and the reservoir didn't overflow!!

I switched the engine off at this point as I was a little concerned about overheating.

My thoughts are change the thermostat and housing, coolant temp sensor, use rad flush or take it off and test it and stick new coolant in.

But could it still be the head gasket?

Cheers

[gtigolfthree]

Its normal for the top hose to get hot first, the themostat holds the water in the block till its hot then it goes to the radiator via the top hose and returns via the bottom hose so the bottom hose will be cooler as the water has been cooled in the radiator.

[Agreeable Slick]

Change the thermostat anyway, and whilst you are at it whip the hoses off the radiator and then stick a hose pipe in it, will soon find out if it is blocked then.

[phatsam2003]

Rightio

Today I changed the thermostat, thermostat housing, temp sensor and the reservoir cap. Flushed the radiator through with a hose, and used some system flush.

It's no longer overflowing, but it is overheating.

It's fine when driving, but when stationary the oil temp goes up to mid 90's, the fans kick in and the coolant light starts flashing.

Unfortunately I don't know what the coolant temp is because the gauge doesn't work.

Any ideas?

Cheers 

[Wayne]

Could be a air lock, as a next step why not get it block tested to confirm head gasket is ok.

[Agreeable Slick]

Doesn't make sense as that isn't a dangerous temp to be running at. Where does the water temp gauge on the dash sit? Sounds more like a sensor has broken. Get a compression test done as a precaution but then I would look at a sensor change.

Edit: just re-read it. I would try to get that water gauge working as it could be that, that is throwing a spanner in the works.

[AudiA8Quattro]

A compression test won't necessarily show the gasket has gone.
On the early vr6 they are known to blow between the cylinder and water jacket at no.1 cylinder.
The leak can be very small, not enough to show on the compression test, but will still pressurise the coolant system.
How do you know its overheating if you can't read the coolant temp?

[phatsam2003]

You were right on the button Agreeable Slick!!

Changed the clocks for the ones in my GTi this morning and everything worked great!! Coolant temp got to 90 and stayed there! Fans kicked in when they should and the oil temp sat around 90 degrees

I'm so glad this is sorted!! Now all I need is some new VR6 clocks.  

Cheers for all the help fellas