Overheating

[keefusg60]

Getting the hump big time now.

Car started overheating in traffic a while back. First the heater matrix blew, got that fixed and then realised that the fan wasn't kicking in so was still overheating. So i fitted a new rad fan & new fan switch.
Tested on Saturday, and fan kicked in as expected, drove car on Sunday with no probs , but not in traffic.
Drove to work this morning, and fan not kicking in again. Oil temp hitting 122 with water temp just over 1/2 way round. Left for 45 mins after oil buzzer sounded and finished journey. parked up and popped bonnet and fan was whizzing round!
Thinking thermostat / water pump / head gasket problem, but really getting the ar$e now, as have had the car for 3 months now, and only managed about 500 miles.

And last week the drainage holes by the windscreen were well blocked up with old leaves etc, which has got into my interior fan motor, causing some steaming at first and now the fans totally packed in at all speeds.

Any sensible advice / ideas welcome.

[sellers]

id try a new themostat and water pump fo now, even if it isnt them its still good to have new ones in lol

don't know what else to suggest? does it leak any water?

[keefusg60]

Doesn't appear to be leaking water, maybe just a little steaming off when it gets hot

[rubjonny]

Water temp on a MK2 should sit about half way on the gauge, the fan wont kick in till at ot just above 3/4 on the gauge.  If the light on the temp gauge isn't flashing then the temperature is fine.  The temp gauge light is a coolant temperature & level warning. (or the level sensor and/or clocks have packed up, but thats another story )

Oil temp seems a bit high though, perhaps the oil cooler isn't working very well?  Plus the oil buzzer is a low pressure warning not temperature.

Check all the oil sensors on the oil filter housing and side of the head, remove & clean the connections & make sure they arn't leaking any oil.

Might be a problem with your oil pump? Oh and check your oil.

[92 rocks]

try the simplest thing 1st......... the pressure cap seal on the expansion tank can fail over time and steam wisps out, you think of the milkes being done and if its constantly leaking steam then ure gonna lose water

[knobby]

you tried changing the coolant water.. mine was running hot so checked water.. it looked more like  a mud bath.. so flushed her out and put some nice clean water and coolant in.. She runs much cooler now!.

knobby...

[Overseer]

^ did that on mine and created a leak.. sometimes the gunk keep it running ok. lol

[knobby]

when i say flush out.. didnt use any chemicals.. drained system,  then just run clean water in the system a few times, letting the fan kick in and water pump round the system, then let it cool down, empty and fill up with Fresh water (highland Spring) with a some coolant and it was laughin!

[rubjonny]

I use a hosepipe to flush the system, but don't turn it up mega high this enough to push water thru the system.
Like Overseer says sometimes the radiator doesn't take to kindly and starts leaking, but if it was in such a bad state you're better off replacing it anyway!  Its better to find out that way rather than having it blow whilst you're doing a ton 70mph on the motorway!

[knobby]

Radiator.. cheap as chips...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-MK1-AND-MK2-RADIATOR-c48_W0QQitemZ4566265141QQcategoryZ9889QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem