Flashing water temp light '90 8v gti

[Jamtarts]

I was driving into work this morning and the water temp light started flashing on the dash, I thought I'll try and get it into work and check it there.  As I got nearer to work the oil light started flickering, I managed to get the car to the work car park and it cut out and wouldn't start again,

fearing the worst I left it to cool down and went back out later to try it again and put water in, the coolant was empty.  I topped it up and then noticed a fast leak in a rusty pipe just above the starter motor. 

I managed to start the car and drove it to my mate's house near work and put it on his drive the oil light stopped flickering but the water temp light is still flashing.  I'm hoping the pipe is cheap and easy to replace, but is there likley to be much damage to the engine, if I put maybe plumbers seal tape round the leak will this be safe enough to drive to a garage?

I'm a bit wary of driving it just now

thanks,

[SoundillusioN]

I had a pipe burst on me once and was forced to drive the car a couple of miles without water in it... Not recommend.

will be cheap and simple enough to fix. If you can seal the leak and can drive it with water flowing then you'll be fine. Also make sure your oil level is ok while you're at it.

[Jamtarts]

I had a pipe burst on me once and was forced to drive the car a couple of miles without water in it... Not recommend.

will be cheap and simple enough to fix. If you can seal the leak and can drive it with water flowing then you'll be fine. Also make sure your oil level is ok while you're at it.

thanks, I reckon it's about half a mile from my mates to the garage so hopefully it'll be ok,

[h8v]

....and leave the coolant cap off so the system isn't pressurised.  That way the leak will be a lot less!

h8v

[Jamtarts]

....and leave the coolant cap off so the system isn't pressurised.  That way the leak will be a lot less!

h8v

good shout thanks, never thought of that

[Jamtarts]

got wee Golfie back from the garage today, new pipe and new anti freeze, seems to be fine now

[Jamtarts]

argh!!! it did the same again this morning, I was driving to get petrol on the way to work, it started flashing again and when I paid for the petrol it wouldn't start at all.  I had to push it to a parking space in the Petrol Station.  Luckily my local mechanic is not far from there.  I've left him the keys and he's hopefully going to pick up the car and look at it (if the Petrol Station doesn't get it towed away!).

I'm a wee bit worried about it now

[Jamtarts]

sorry for keeping posting in this, I phoned the mechanic today, he reckons the alternator is away and the battery was dead, and he reckons I will need a starter motor soon, so not good news but at the moment a wee bit better than what I was expecting this morning, mmm