I've joined the GTi world...and i've got a small problem

[shakman]

Picked up my new car yesterday - so far i'm really enjoying it. it's very different from what i'm use to having only driven Honda's mainly.

It's a 1991 GTi 8v in Tornado Red. Pretty good condition for its age and almost everything is working as it should.

Here's a few pics from the sale ad:





Now the problem i'm having - On driving to work today, i noticed the temperature light started flashing about 30 mins into my journey. I was only about 5 mins away from work so thought i'd keep going and check it out when i get there. I parked up and left the car for about 5 minutes to have a chat with the local mechanic to explain the problem. When i got back to the car and started it up, the light wasn't flashing anymore! The mechanic said its most likely its low on water or worse case is there's a leak which is hard to tell as its a wet day today.

Do any of you guys have a better idea of what it could be?

Cheers

[rubjonny]

the light also warns of low coolant, so check that 1st. if level is ok, disconnect the plug on the header tank and bridge the pins with a bit of wire. if the light no longer comes on then its the level sensor in the tank thats at fault.  if the light still comes on its the sensor, wiring or clocks, assuming temperature is ok.

where does the temp sit, and what does the mfa oil temp say?

[shakman]

The MFA oil readout doesn't read anything. just comes up with this '---'. guessing it's been disconnected or something?

I'll check the coolant levels and diagnose problems in the order you've given me.

Many thanks for your help buddy.

[rubjonny]

yeah sounds liek duff sensor or disconnected wire. fyi it wont read anything till oil temp rises above 50degrees

the mfa oil sensor is on the top of the oil filter housing, its the small white sensor. has a green/black wire

[Ben Lessani]

This is unlikely - but it could be a dodgy rad cap, if it isn't letting pressure escape and there is an air lock, then the air pressure could force the water level lower and make it think its short on coolant.

As RJ said, check the water level, make sure you've got antifreeze in - it makes leaks pretty easy to spot given the residue it leaves behind.

[Alec]

And the smell 

[shakman]

Ok - problem solved!

It was low on water so topped it up and now it's OK. Is there an dramatic difference between using anti-freeze and using water?

[Neo Badness]

Ok - problem solved!

It was low on water so topped it up and now it's OK. Is there an dramatic difference between using anti-freeze and using water?

Yes one will F**k the engine in cold weather, One won't.

Put it this way if you run only water in your engine and it freezes, ice expands, metal not so much when it's freezing so you run the risk of a cracked block. For the price of decent antifreeze vs new engine seems a bit mental really. There are other reasons too but that is the most important one.

[shakman]

Thanks for the heads up! i'll get it flushed and refilled at some point this week.

[Neo Badness]

Thanks for the heads up! i'll get it flushed and refilled at some point this week.

Nae stress...