Engine temperature

[tobz.]

I've just picked up a cheap 8v as a run-around, the first day I had it I was stuck in traffic and the needle started creeping past the coolant warning light. To begin with I thought the cooling fan didn't work but shortly after that it kicked in. So I would say it is normal for the temp gauge to get that high before the fan switches on.

Toby

[Tornado-red_gti]

Yeah I think it is normal. My fan kicks in just after the halfway mark on the guage.

[helliosjon]

my fan doesnt come on until the needle is 3/4 to the right and the water temp red light is flashing.

That cant be right, any one else have the same on a 89 16V ?

[Tornado-red_gti]

It doesn't sound right mate.

I think the fan has two switches on it.
Sort of like two settings, one that comes on to keep the temperature normal then another that kicks in if that one fails.
  I'm really not 100% sure about this.
But if i'm right it sounds like your first one is not working.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong  

[tobz.]

Not sure about the two fans settings I didn't think it was that clever.
As for your flashing coolant light helliosjon that light only starts flashing when your coolant level is low it has nothing to do with temperature. I would check your coolant level if it has been flashing recently. Those things are however renown for failing so it may be that you just need to replace the sensor in the top of your expansion bottle.

Toby

[GavG60]

or beaten by an 8 valve

keep em comin hawkins...rope around your neck mate. when my vw revolution comes you'll be cryin like a baby

 

[helliosjon]

The garage have just called, they've replaced the fan switch and now the fan comes in at just past the half way marker. ?40 all in.

Hopefully that will do it.

I'll check my water levels tonight.

[Veedubgt18v]

there is two switches but it is incorporated into 1, it switches the fan on at, say, 90 degrees then the second switch activates if this doesnt work, the second switch spins the fan faster, like a 2 speed idea. only on late cars tho. the temperature for the mfa is a little temp sender on top of the oil filter housing



see that one at the back? thats your mfa sender, check it is wired up and connected.

[Tornado-red_gti]

 I wasn't making it up after all.
I was worried for a moment. Thought i'd started dreaming about parts that should be on Golfs .....again.  

[VeeDubGTI16v]

the easiest way of seeing if its a 2 speed is by pulling the plug of the back of the fan and count the connectors, 2 connectors is single speed, 3 connectors is dual speed.

helioshjohn i got a 89 16v too that gets that hot. i havent had any problems but i do put the heaters on if im in traffic cos i get paranoid. mine came with a small radiator with a single speed fan, im gonna change it all for a bigger rad when i can afford it. It seems stupid that this year 16v has a small rad? did yours have small bumpers on? it could be to do with that maybe