On the way back from a (totally fabulous) trip to France recently we had been on the peage (motorway) for about 2 hours. We pulled into a service station and had to queue for a few minutes to get fuel at which point the engine overheated. It dropped some water on the forecourt and steam came out of the back vent. A short while later (say another 20 miles), when we stopped for lunch it also dropped some water. However, the header-tank seems about half-full, so for all that it hasn't lost much, and TBH I'm not certain that it even needs to be topped up.
Now when we start the car the coolant level light comes on briefly, but goes out when the engine is running, and I can't remember whether it always did that.
There is an extra electric radiator cooling fan that comes on when hot ( especially when stopped after a long run) - Did you hear this come on? Use the Search funtion to look up radiator - lots to read there At the top of the radiator is a plastic nut which an be loosened (caution hot water) to let out trapped air whilst the engine is running. Or if the engine is cold taken out and water added. If there is air in the system the header tank level can still look normal Trapped air could explain your overheating (check this first) but could also be a fault with the thermostat. osg
Subject: Re: Overheating Mon Oct 18, 2021 11:17 am
We had something like that happen, but the problem seems to have gone away. Our drive is on a slope, so I parked the van so that the back end was raised and bled the coolant system in case of trapped air. I also replaced the expansion chamber cap, about £6 on Amazon, part number 40722.
dazdub
Cabin : Exec 012 Location : wales Posts : 3114 Join date : 2009-10-16
Subject: Re: Overheating Mon Oct 18, 2021 12:22 pm
Cooling fan . Airlock . Rad cap
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Little Rob
Cabin : Club Posts : 15 Join date : 2020-10-29
Subject: Re: Overheating Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:45 pm
Thanks for the replies. Its been to the local garage for a service and they are saying head-gasket. I've not spoken to them directly since they looked at it (they haven't actually "fixed" anything yet) but they've been pretty reliable in the past.
Would this make sense?
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14334 Join date : 2009-09-27
Subject: Re: Overheating Fri Oct 29, 2021 5:12 am
Check the coolant pipes. Is there mayonnaise in the oil? Yes the coolant level light flashes for a couple of seconds on startup as a level check.
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
Purple
Cabin : Club Location : . Posts : 250 Join date : 2017-02-07
Subject: Re: Overheating Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:04 am
Little Rob wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Its been to the local garage for a service and they are saying head-gasket. I've not spoken to them directly since they looked at it (they haven't actually "fixed" anything yet) but they've been pretty reliable in the past.
Would this make sense?
A reliable local garage should be familiar with what is effectively a conventional, relatively modern VW water cooled engine - probably more familiar than they would be if you went in with an air-cooled van. Searching "VW 1.4 Fox blown head gasket" will return a lot of information, causes and symptoms, but I'd ask what checks they have done to ascertain a failed head gasket and get them to physically show you.
Please keep us updated on how you get on.
Little Rob
Cabin : Club Posts : 15 Join date : 2020-10-29
Subject: Re: Overheating Mon Nov 08, 2021 2:17 pm
Thanks for all the replies. I spoke to the garage and they did a "block test" and can detect exhaust gas in the water (or something like that). They next problem is that they are struggling to source a gasket set as the serial numbers don't quite match those available for the VW Fox.
Q1. Are all the water-cooled engines the same?
Q2. Can anyone point me at an online gasket that will fit (depending on Q1)?
Cheers
Rob
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14334 Join date : 2009-09-27
Subject: Re: Overheating Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:46 pm
Have they done a compression test on the cylinders?
If you need a new head gasket these can be ordered with Volkswagen. I ordered one today. 7-10 day delivery from Germany.
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
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TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14334 Join date : 2009-09-27
Subject: Re: Overheating Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:57 pm
Cylinder head gasket part number:032 103 383N Cylinder head bolts - 10 required - part number WHT 001 865
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
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Purple
Cabin : Club Location : . Posts : 250 Join date : 2017-02-07
Subject: Re: Overheating Mon Nov 08, 2021 11:57 pm
Little Rob wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I spoke to the garage and they did a "block test" and can detect exhaust gas in the water (or something like that). They next problem is that they are struggling to source a gasket set as the serial numbers don't quite match those available for the VW Fox.
Q1. Are all the water-cooled engines the same?
Q2. Can anyone point me at an online gasket that will fit (depending on Q1)?
Cheers
Rob
Thanks for the update. Remember to buy two sets whilst you can still get them!
Did they find any clues as to why its blown the head gasket? Don't want to be the harbinger of doom but I'd be wondering if a replacement head gasket will blow again if the previous cause isn't resolved, especially as most owners work their engines far less than the current average of 12k miles a year?
I know head gaskets used to be an issue on older cars, but I can't think of anyone I know that has had one go in a newer vehicle for years?
dazdub
Cabin : Exec 012 Location : wales Posts : 3114 Join date : 2009-10-16
Subject: Re: Overheating Tue Nov 09, 2021 6:13 am
Luke on here has head gasket sets and all the parts he supplies are top quality normally oe