Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: MK1 Cabriolet - Cooling problems

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    88

    MK1 Cabriolet - Cooling problems

    Hey guys,


    Posting on behalf of my brother, in short coolant is not flowing and fans are not kicking in therefore it's getting too hot...

    - New thermostat, housing and seals
    - Flushed radiator/system at time of thermostat change
    - Replaced hose to/from overflow as it was a bit tattered
    - All other hoses are in good condition, don't seem to be clogged/blocked/split
    - Fans arent turning on at all but are getting power
    - Waterpump was replaced approx 10,000 km's ago

    In regards to potential cracked head or head gasket, car doesn't blow any smoke or water out exhaust and the oil is not milky so I wouldn't think so? Other things I can think of would be the coolant sensor on the water housing, I'm assuming if this is broken and not sending correct information it won't be telling the rest of the system to flow and to turn the fans on? There's also a bit of coolant leak around this area which makes me more suspicious of it.

    Also, a mobile mechanic was out doing a timing belt on another car so my brother asked him to have a quick look, he said he wasn't too sure as he doesn't usually do euro, especially older models but his voltmeter had a temp setting, popped it in the overflow and it reached boiling point in approximately 4 minutes of the car idling if that helps at all.

    Any help is appreciated as the car will be sitting until it's fixed would rather not looking at a euro specialist mechanic if possible as they charge at a premium.


    Thanks guys

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Melb Westsideeeee
    Posts
    1,456
    Users Country Flag
    Have you tried putting a direct 12v power source to the fan to see if its working?
    - Orange Golf mk1 LS, 1.8 5speed, 32/36 - sold
    - Golf mk1 Swallowtail rebuild, completely stripped
    - Brown U.S import 81 cabby
    - 88 Honda crx b18cr

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Braidwood, rural NSW
    Posts
    3,198
    Users Country Flag
    Run the engine for a couple of minutes to warm it up and get the thermostat open. Turn it off. Disconnect the top radiator hose where it goes into the radiator and start the engine for about 30 seconds. Does water flow out and keep coming out? If yes then the waterpump is working ok and you don't have any blockages. Problem is the fans.

    Can you turn the fans by hand - blades aren't getting caught on anything?

    Do what George suggested above, do the fans now work?

    Cheers

    Paul

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Braidwood, rural NSW
    Posts
    3,198
    Users Country Flag
    Thought of an easier way to tell if the waterpump is working. Start the engine and feel if the radiator gets warm. If it does the pump is ok.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    450
    Users Country Flag

    I had thermostat issues with my 8v. My brand new Tridon thermostat wouldn't open and it seems like it would foul on the housing somewhere. It wasn't a faulty thermostat either because it would open if I bench tested it so I'm still running the OEM 70's thermo

    Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
| |