VW Golf 2000 Cooling Problems!!!!

I just bought a used Golf for alot of $$$$. I have had the car now for maybe a month, and two days ago i noticed that my temperature guage was off the radar. I am not car stupid, i am certified to service them but unfortunately not to fix them. Every time i start driving, the car will heat up rather quickly, stay at the 1/2 (190*F) point for a few minutes, then climb to almost the red line. I have checked my hoses, they seem to be okay, i dont know if it would be the thermostat or not, for turning the heat on has no effect on the engine temperature (not to mention the "heat" is about 100 degrees colder than ice). I really dont know what the problem could be, and i would really appreciate some feedback on this one.


Thanks
PFC Ronald K. Adkins, U.S. Army
55th SUS Bat.

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