Mark 3 Cooling Problem

[stevetwigs]

The problem is when I am in traffic or at a standstill I can see my my temperature gauge creeping up its got to about 110 degrees and the water light flashes on, fortunately the traffic has cleared and when I am moving it goes back down and stays steady on 90, but I reckon its gonna overheat when I get struck in a proper jam.

I have looked through the forum posts and had a look at the various components that might be the problem, but none of the posts seem to match what I have found.

Coolant level is fine and no obvious leaks on hoses. I did replace a hose about 2 months ago as it was leaking but topped up the system and all seemed seemed fine till this past week or two. However I have had to top up the coolant every two or three weeks since replacing the hose, but again cant see any leaks.

I have yet to hear the raditor fan kick in, I have bridged the connections and the fan runs, but doesnt seem to trigger when the engine gets hot.
I have cranked the heater on the full hot, but fan not kicking in either (should it come on when doing this?).

I am thinking that it might be a combo of a faulty fan switch and a poor seal on the expansion tank cap. Should I replace both and see what happens?

Or is there any other checks I can do to get a more definative answer.

Appreciate any advice as I reckon I am gonna be stuck on the side of the road with a smoking bonnet sooner or later.

Thanks

[Crasher]

I would think it is the fan switch on the radiator that is at fault. If the fan runs with the terminals bridged the fan and power supply are OK so change the switch and see if the fan runs, otherwise you may lose the engine.

[1flop]

[QUOTE=Crasher;536444]I would think it is the fan switch on the radiator that is at fault. If the fan runs with the terminals bridged the fan and power supply are OK so change the switch and see if the fan runs, otherwise you may lose the engine.[/QI have an N reg 1.8 Cabrio golf and the expansion tank has burst twice in quich succesion. It only did 2 miles between bursts. What may be causing it any ideas?? ThanksUOTE] I have an N reg 1.8 Cabrio golf and the expansion tank has burst twice in quich succesion. It only did 2 miles between bursts. What may be causing it any ideas?? Thanks

[1flop]

I have an N reg 1.8 Cabrio golf and the expansion tank has burst twice in quich succesion. It only did 2 miles between bursts. What may be causing it any ideas?? Thanks

[Crasher]

Do you mean water bursts out of the cap or the bottle itself has burst twice?

[1flop]

The plastic ball like bottle bursts at the seam. I have also found out that the radiator has burst. HELP!!!!

[Trog_nfs]

whats the mayonaise situation under the oil cap? I smell a headgasket failure

[Crasher]

The system is obviously suffering a massive build up of pressure; the only thing that can cause such as fast build up without obvious overheating is an extremely badly blown head gasket.

[abstractduk]

poor you ! i have exactly the same problem! EXACKLY the same! i think they are designed to blow the head gasket and boil away until you smell caramel doughnuts cooking under your bonnet to realise that your fan has seized and is too, cooking its *** in an attempt to torch your car! meanwhile an oil rotted heater hose covers your eye in liquid glass head gasket repair! happened to me yesterday so im looking for a new fan! so im off to post the question-do i have to remove the WHOLE blinky slam panel just to get the fan out?!!!! ***!!!???

seriously-what fans fit the same pins as a MK3 GL granny basher(abs)whereas i will fabricate un bracket or 2 from macdonalds straws and the like and just cut the fan out rather than dismantle the whole front of the car!!!! jesus!!

im runnning mine 6500miles with a blown head gasket so far-get on big roads-hates traffic(who uses that slogan(there customers will find out why!))

get a bigger fan off a later model and switch it manually mate!!

[Crasher]

You have to take the front off the car off and the radiator out to change the fan. You can fit the 250w/150w 305-mm fan from a 1Y diesel to replace your 100w/60w 305-mm unit but upgrading the fans and radiator further requires changing the front panel and the fan you have is perfectly adequate if the engine is running correctly, sticking in a bigger fan is a Band Aid fix that will probably not help.