130 TDi heating problem/ temperature issue ?

[snig71]

I have read a few posts about temperature issues and it being sensor, and also some mentioning water pump issues, but that has only added to my confusion.

My problems started this week when the cold spell arrived.

I firstly noticed that the heating in the car was very poor on the Sunday morning even after a 30 mile motorway trip and it being set on the highest setting, and also about this time I notice every now and then the temperature gauge would move up to the next notch after the 90 degrees and then would drop back down to 90 and put it doen to the cold weather.

This didnt seem like a problem as I have been driving like an old man to see what consumption I can get out of it ,until on Wednesday evening, I was doing 75 -80 mph and I suddenly noticed the temp gauge right near the red band, so I moved into the slow lane and dropped my speed back to 60 mph and the temperature returned to normal 90 degrees ?? Over the the next few days the temperature gauge moved about alot more but only near the red if I drive near 70-80 mph and in all this time I have not had a major warning on the instrument cluster ???

I have checked the fluids and they are ok and eventually resorted to putting the car in to my local garage to see if they can find out what is up. They had it for a few hours today and changed the thermostat and this has not resolved the problem, in fact it has made it worse as I have had the "STOP" warning after driving it for a few miles !!!

I have dropped it back this evening and they are already thinking it is a water pump issue, which is obviously going to cost more money !!

I would appreciated any input on these issues.

Cheers

[kite]

Sounds like the water pump impellor is broken...

[STEWY L]

it is possible that the anti-freeze protection has not been adaquate, and that the water pump impeller ( plastic ), has failed when/if the cooling system froze up.
this is better than the timing belt loosing teeth should the water pump be frozen static,
haven't explained that very well,
regards,
stewy.

[snig71]

I have not done a specific test on the coolant but visually i would say that it looks a good colour ie strong orange colour and not diluted. It does seem to be pointing to the water pump now as the stat has been changed.

Suppose I should expect to replace it when the car has got 154k on the clock, but just hope it is not going to cost the earth and there is not something else on the way out !! lol