2004 Polo - Water Pump Problem??

[Tingtong]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help me identify the problems I might be having with my 2004 VW Polo (1.4 petrol)?

For the last week or so whenever I turn on the car in the morning I can hear a soft-ish ticking/rattling sound, the speed of which seems to be related to the engine speed. As the car warms up or has been driven for a while this noise disappears.

This morning this sound was there and shortly after I started driving I also had a red water temperature light appear on the dash. I checked the water temp gauge and this was still reading cold (normally it has started to rise by now). I stopped the car and had a quick look under the bonnet and found that the coolant level was below minimum (but not empty).
When I restarted the car the water temp light was no longer illuminated and the ticking sound had also gone. Just to be on the safe side I left the car at home and got a lift to work today.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? I was thinking it might be the symptoms of a failed/failing water pump but I would have thought that a failed pump would have caused the temps to increase rather than remain cold?

Any ideas welcome...

Thanks.
T

[towcestervag]

get the cooling system pressure tested
it may be a leaking pump or rad
if you do water pump change cambelt and tensioners
lower tensioners do fail on the 16v engine and can cause and engine rattle as the timing moves and valves touch pistons