A4 Avant 1997 Overheating

[bigcrags]

Hi
Coming back on the motorway yestarday , my A4 was sounding a little odd. Sounded like there was extra wind noise when the speed was over 60 (this might not be related to the overheating problem at all).
When I got back into town the temperature went up and up until the temperature warning light came on.
2 minutes later I was home and there was no noise from the fan and the temp light was still on.

Question is, where do I start. Do I drive the car 9 miles on country roads to my usual garage, taking the chance that it might overheat and damage the engine, or do I call a breakdown truck. Or do I try and fix it myself.

I've got fairly basic mechanical skills - I'm comfortable with standard servicing-type jobs but is this a job that I should even try to attempt myself?
Thanks

[bigchris]

An easy 9 miles drive from a cold engine shouldn't put any extra strain on the engine, I would have thought it should be fine to drive that short distance.

I'd say check some fuses/relays on the fan but if temp went up at 60mph then perhaps the water's not circulating - you should be able to see it coming out of the pipe into the tank....

[guyg]

My engine reaches full temperature within 3 miles from cold - I wouldn't risk driving another 6 miles with suspect cooling unless the engine had cooled down completely.

What is the guage indicating when this happens? Does it loose water?

From what you've described, I'd guess the water pump impeller is slipping or broken up. You can verify this by removing the hose comming off the pump and feeling if the impeller is in place and firm on the shaft.

Cheers

Guy

[bigcrags]

Thanks - I took the chance and drove the car to the garage this morning. Got there just as the guage was starting to soar (but it never got to the point where the temp light came on).

When there are so many variables - head gasket, radiator, fan, water pump, relays, sensors etc, I'd rather just pay a garage to fix it and hopefully have it back in a couple of days. If I tried to investigate all these things myself I'd be lucky to have it on the road again by July.

[I_am_stealth]

I do 60 miles per day 5 days a week, without the viscous fan! I had to take it out, the ball bearing died. A Diesel like yours does not usually overheat. I believe you had a minor problem, like someone suggested, the water pump, etc. Let us know what the problem was when you have it fixed.

[stubbsy]

my 98 tdi has never risen above 75 usually sits at 65 unless i give it a really hard time.ive got a tunning box 75 max!!!my wifes car sits at 90 all day every day also my oil temp gauge never goes over the 65 mark,)wife doesnt have one so i cant compare) any ideas