Overheating or not??

[symonh2000]

Oil temperature rises much more slowly than coolant temperature.

By the time the oil temp has risen to a dangerous level the engine would probably have seriously overheated and cooked.

[JP2021]

Thanks for all the replies, I'll keep an eye and get it down to my local VW independent. Will update when/if I get to the bottom of it. Good point re the analogue temperature gauge / digital oil readout, I do understand which does what and what they're displaying but know quite a few people who may not

[Badluck]

Driving into work today through some horrendous traffic, I had a peculiar moment whilst stuck in a jam. All was fine until I glanced down to the dash and saw the dreaded exclamation mark alight. Immediately looking towards the temperature gauge I saw the needle was almost touching red, something that I've never had before. I then flicked to see the oil temperature which read 109 degrees, which didn't seem excessive.

At this point, whilst still stationary in traffic, I switched off the engine with some trepidation as to what to expect next. 30 seconds later I started the engine and the temperature gauge went straight to the usual 90 degrees, the explanation mark gone and all was fine for the rest of the drive. However, on parking and stationary the temperature gauge again read just off red. I switched off the engine, restarted and again all was fine with oil temperature reading 100 degrees.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is the analogue temperature dial directly connected to the temperature sensor and if so, why the huge change in reading after having the engine off for just 30 seconds? Also, wouldn't the oil temperature rise excessively in line with the water temperature? Lastly, there is obviously a problem, any idea what it may be?

Did you get this sorted? I had something similar around 4 years ago. Warning light flashed up, looked at the temp gauge and it was in the red. Pulled over asap, called breakdown who plugged the computer in but couldn't find any errors. Booked into dealer and they couldn't replicate the problem. In the end just put it down to being a rogue error.

https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=283481.msg2589698#msg2589698

[JP2021]

I haven't driven in heavy traffic so replicating the scenario in which it happened hasn't occurred. I am a little concerned as I don't want to cause lasting damage to the engine and causing West London to come to a standstill whilst I cool the engine and investigate further isn't a tempting proposition! I'm tempted to have the water pump/thermostat/housing replaced (I've lost approx 3mm of water from the expansion vessel over 9 months) and have been quoted £860 from a local indy. This does seem to be the likely culprit having aired the issue on this forum and speaking with others, but an expensive 'fix' if it doesn't cure the issue. As you mention 'Badluck', your symptoms appear to be identical to mine, could it be just a glitch in software?

[willni]

I'm tempted to have the water pump/thermostat/housing replaced (I've lost approx 3mm of water from the expansion vessel over 9 months) and have been quoted £860 from a local indy. This does seem to be the likely culprit having aired the issue on this forum and speaking with others, but an expensive 'fix' if it doesn't cure the issue.

If you're considering that you might as well do the timing chain and tensioner while you're at it since it's all part of the same job, to save yourself paying twice to do it when the car heads towards the 100k mark, that's if you're near it and know you'll be keeping the car for that long.

[JP2021]

Out of interest, these two error codes appear quite regularly when I do an OBD11 scan - another clue pointing towards the water pump/thermostat being faulty??

[joe6]

The low flow fault suggest water pump problem.

[JP2021]

A quick update. I've decided to get the water pump/thermostat housing replaced. Called two local independents who both quoted £850 inc VAT but both couldn't do until second week of January as their diaries were absolutely choka. Out of curiosity I called my local VW dealership assuming I'd be quoted a silly price, however, was quoted £830 inc VAT and can do week beginning 17 December. Is this as surprising to you as it is to me that the dealership is the cheapest with best availability?? 

[symonh2000]

The dealership has probably had plenty of practice doing them under warranty.