Coolant doesn't seem to be circulating

[e11ie]

Hey

After the recent cold snap and reading all the posts on frozen coolant I went out to check mine. I found the top rad pipe felt like a slush puppy and the coolant seemed low. So I popped a heater in there overnight and covered it in blankets and next morn put some more antifreeze in.
I made sure before I started it all the pipes seemed ok and the coolant was defo liquid.
However now the last few times ive started her the radiator has started to smoke once it gets up to temp. All the coolant pipes seem warm apart from the bottom rad hose. Plus the coolant in the reservoir doesn't seem to be moving.
Am I looking at a buggered waterpump or thermostat or rad or all? And is there any way I can check?
It's a pb head with a 2l bottom end...8v.
Ellie

[UKjarvis]

I had a similar thing with my first golf, twas the thermostat.

[h8v]

You may be worrying without cause. 

Radiator starts to smoke:  When the hot coolant gets into the rad the damp/condensation on the outside of the rad "steams" off.  Might look bad, but nothing to worry about and will stop in a few minutes.

Bottom hose is cold:  The bottom hose will be the coldest part of the system, and won't begin to get warm until the thermostat opens and the coolant circulates.

Coolant in the reservoir doesn't seem to be moving:  The reservoir isn't part of the flow circuit. It's only connected by a smallish diameter pipe to make sure the system is full, and by a small diameter pipe to allow for air to bleed out.  Hence coolant doesn't actually flow through it.

Hope it's all OK.

h8v

[rob.043]

excessive vapour (smoke) from the radiator may be from a small leak. Try to see where its coming from, and look for any coolant deposits or damp patches when its cold. My radiator a small hole at the top on one side, and when squeezing the top hose I could hear air hissing through the wee hole.

Also have a read of RJ's guide:

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

[e11ie]

Cheers for the info guys you've set my mind at rest! I'll check it out tomo.

Ellie