mk3 golf 16v water/radiator issue?

[Djmac]

Hi all, have some issues with my mk3 16v gti! The car is getting warm pretty quickly and spilling its header tank, i put water in, yet the  water light flashes on my dash! some times when i just start the car the water temp says its at normal temp and when i take it for a little spin out the guage reaches its peak temp?
is it a thermstat issue? Coulkd anyone help?

[tweed]

First thing to check is start cold and see if bottom hose gets warm.

I think your water pump is f**ked or you have a bad blockage.

For sake of engine don't drive

[mad4vws]

check all water pipes ,you might have a blockage or air lock if all else fails change waterpump .

[javalin]

is it overheating?  If so would be a airlock, or thermostat stuck issue.  If not, suspect header tank cap - good ones are blue.

James

[Djmac]

its just had a new water pump! could the mechanic have done something wrong! what more can i do to check?

And yeh james it is overheating... i see steam coming out of my bonnet, ive not drove it since i read these comments!

[Wayne]

Could be a head gasket issue if it is building that much pressure.

[javalin]

doubt its waterpump, would suspect blockage/thermostat/airleak personally, or as Wayne says possibly headgasket.

James

[Djmac]

thanks for the advise guys! if the head gaskets just gone, will there be signs of white residue straight under the oil fill cap, or is that after a while? i havnt checked mine yet, what other signs could i look out for! anyway of testing if the thermostat is working without stripping?

[javalin]

If headgasket gone = water in oil, or oil in water, or water out of the exhaust etc.  A garage can test for these.

Thermostat - your radiator will not warm up if stuck shut, once water temp is 90c. (feel temps of top and bottom hoses)

James

[Djmac]

havin a go with the car now... ive topped the water up as it was low so the temp light is off... ive ran it for 20 mins and the bottom and top hose is warm! everything seems ok now topped up, just last time i did this it spilled the header tank?