1998 Volkswagen Golf Temperature up after new water heater

ANNUCIA

MEMBER
1998 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
117,000 MILES

My 1998 VW Golf had a new water heater, thermostat installed 3 days ago after overheating- visable leaking of fluid. The next day my car lost power suddenly, and stopped, emergency road service got it to start with a jump but could not sustain. Towed back to service station and I was told an air hose had gotten loose. They fixed it for free and sent me on my way. Yesterday, I turned on my ca rafter sitting for 3 hours and temperature warning light was on and temperature gauge was just a bit past mid area which it always is below. I drove 9 miles and it didn't go higher than that, warning light remained on. At home I tuned off my car and started it again a 1/2 hour later and ran it for 20 minutes- the dummy light did not come on but the temperature gauge went higher than before, above the mid line to the next line before I turned it off. What could be going on here? Could they have put in a faulty water pump or thermostat? Or what? After the problem with the loose hose, I wonder if they are not good mechanics? Would it be safe to try to drive back to the service station 10 miles away or should I get it towed?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Is the heater producing heat for you? Honestly, it sounds like there is an air pocket in the system that needs bled out. If that is the case, it will cause crazy things like that to happen because the coolant may not be getting everywhere it needs to be. However, that is why I asked the question about the heater. If they replaced the heater core, chances are that is where the air block may be.

As far as the "air hose" they repaired, what exactly was it? I never heard of an air hose.

As far as driving it back, make sure the coolant level is full and keep a close eye on the temp gauge. If it heats up, pull over turn it off and allow it to cool. Then recheck the coolant level, refill if necessary, and continue on.

Regardless, I still say there is an air pocket in the cooling system that is causing the problem. Have them check for that.

Let me know if you have other questions.