1.8 20vt overheating

[jonny_d]

As it says my car is overheating on motorway runs but if i take it out of gear and just coast 4 a bit its fine it'll go back to 90degrees. i'm thinking its the stat doubt its the head gasket as it takes a good drive at about 70 -80 to get really hot and it cools back down way too fast. does anyone no where the stat is as its probably just an opening an closing fault and is fairely easy to fix. advice please? 

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

Could be the thermostat but in my experience it's more likely to be the water pump ( Plastic impeller starting to slip on the shaft ......quite common problem on the 20v engines   ) 

[jonny_d]

is it easy to fix. actually i'll rephrase it is it expensive.

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

The themostat is fairly simple / cheap but the water pump is driven by the timing belt so that would all need to be removed before you can get at the pump
Book time for the timing belt on a 20vt is 2.20 but you'll need to add a bit on to replace pump .
You could try the thermostat ( plastic outlet on the front of the block ) but I have my doubts as to whether it will cure the problem

If it is the pump it's a good idea to change the timing belt, tensioner and pulleys while your there .

[Sugar79]

my guess WATERPUMP   

mine did the same thing

[jonny_d]

how much did u pay to have fixed?

[Sugar79]

£119 from a VW specialist in south east london 

[jonny_d]

just took 4 another spin an when it says its overheating its as cool as a cucumber under the bonnet no bubbling or anything! starting to think its a sensor gone or something has anyone else had this problem?

[Sugar79]

mine didnt bubble either, but i didnt let mine go to near the 130c mark