Overheating

[Simon Wallwork]

Today the red 'overheating' symbol came on on the DIS.

The temp gauge was at about 120 Degrees C.

Stopped and found the rad to be cold. Coolant system full of coolant and no leaks.

Headertank very hot, boiling in fact.

Car trailered away to the garage- clearly a circulation fault so either pump not pumping (belt???? Pump???) or thermostat stuck closed??

Any ideas?? What drives the w/pump on these? The timing belt?

I've a funny feeling they didn't do the water pump at the last belt swap (70,000). Miles now 130,000.

[47p2]

Water pump is driven by a drive belt not the timing belt. Could be a blocked radiator but if the pump wasn't changed then that is the most likely suspect.

What sort of garage changes a timing belt and not the water pump

[Simon Wallwork]

47P2

I will advise that later, The receipt is in the car.

Clearly, a false economy. I suspect this is a failed w/p, but I suppose I might get lucky...w/p drive belt??

Doubt it though, as the elec sys is normal and I bet that same belt drives the alternator

[RanjS8]

I would say the thermostat is staying closed if the radiator is cold.....

[Simon Wallwork]

Ranji

Yep. A failed therm would do it for sure.

Thing is, to get at the therm, is the same as doing the w/p, might as well do the belt too.

I tried letting it cool off, in case it was a 'one off' stuck therm- as seen on old cars which I can fix. No joy.

Bucks!

[RanjS8]

Probably is worthwhile doing the lot as it probably due.....but have a look on Quattro world I m sure there was a thread where someone managed to change the thermostat without removing the belt....,