Red Coolant Flashing

[digplants]

I have an issue involving a red flashing coolant light.
I checked the level and it looked low, but it was still above minimum. I added more coolant and gave it a test drive but it came back on.
Any suggestions as to what to check next? I like working on my bug, but have little experience in this area.

Also a note, possibly unrelated: A strange sound has recently started when im in 1st gear, up until about 15MPH it sounds like a rumbling fan or something. It kinda sounds loose and then catches when i reach 15mph.

Thanks for reading and your suggestions!

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by digplants

I have an issue involving a red flashing coolant light.
I checked the level and it looked low, but it was still above minimum. I added more coolant and gave it a test drive but it came back on.
Any suggestions as to what to check next? I like working on my bug, but have little experience in this area.

Also a note, possibly unrelated: A strange sound has recently started when im in 1st gear, up until about 15MPH it sounds like a rumbling fan or something. It kinda sounds loose and then catches when i reach 15mph.

Thanks for reading and your suggestions!

Sounds like the impellar of your waterpump gave out. I would not drive the car. Your waterpump shaft can seize which can make your timing belt break or skip a few teeth and then your engine is toast. When is the last time you had your timing belt/water pump service done?

Either way, do not drive this car. !!!

What year is your car and how many miles?? Where are you located?

[digplants]

2002 turbo 150k miles, i dont think the water pump or timing belt have ever been serviced. However i bought it used, so the previous owners may have had that worked on. Texas.

[Smileybug]

If you don't know, then you should get them done ASAP!! You're coming up on needing the second service done as it is.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by digplants

2002 turbo 150k miles, i dont think the water pump or timing belt have ever been serviced. However i bought it used, so the previous owners may have had that worked on. Texas.

WOW, if it never has been done you are way overdue. Even if it has been done once around 75k then you are again due.

The original Waterpump impellar is made out of plastic and is known to disintegrate propelling lots of little plastic pieces through your cooling system. I bet the sound you are hearing at start up is the water pump. Once it seizes completely your timing belt will snap and your are in a world of hurt.

Don't ignore that Red Flashing light. If you do I am certain that in a few days you won't have to worry about it any more.

[Smileybug]

What kind of noise is it that you hear? I know sometimes the Secondary Air Pump will make some noises.

[digplants]

I took it into the shop, as much as id like to do the repairs myself, i have a time limit.

The noise sounds like a fan chopping the air. Its an unusual sound and has recently developed. As far as what it is, i cannot notice anything obvious. the noise will either blend into the other noises or return to normal function when i reach about 15 mph.

also as i drove it to the shop, it had overheated and once i was pulled over to inspect it, through the steam/or smoke you could notice coolant splashed across the engine mostly near the radiator, leading me to suspect a hose has come loose or broke, but i couldnt find it. i checked the coolant container and it was still relatively full.
Ill keep you updated, but i still feel very much in the dark as to what the actual problem is.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by digplants

I took it into the shop, as much as id like to do the repairs myself, i have a time limit.

The noise sounds like a fan chopping the air. Its an unusual sound and has recently developed. As far as what it is, i cannot notice anything obvious. the noise will either blend into the other noises or return to normal function when i reach about 15 mph.

also as i drove it to the shop, it had overheated and once i was pulled over to inspect it, through the steam/or smoke you could notice coolant splashed across the engine mostly near the radiator, leading me to suspect a hose has come loose or broke, but i couldnt find it. i checked the coolant container and it was still relatively full.
Ill keep you updated, but i still feel very much in the dark as to what the actual problem is.

Hello, anybody there?? Knock, KNOCK!!!!

WATERPUMP

Of course the overflow tank is still full. The waterpump isn't cirulating the coolant. Eventually that shaft will completely seize and once that happens the overheating issue will be the least of your worries.

The timing belt will come to a screaching halt, will snap and your valves will have a going away party with your pistons.

Get the Timingbelt service done ASAP. Which includes, Timing belt, Water Pump, tensioner, tensioner pulley, thermostat, thermostat housing, accessory belt and if needed a new cam and crank seal but that is usually only replaced if it is leaking.

Vw Beetle Timing Belt - Beetle Timing Belt Kit - 1.8 Liter

[digplants]

Thanks IndyTom, I sincerely appreciate your efforts, but i just cannot afford to replace all those things at once, nor do i have the experience or tools to do so on my own. not to mention there is apparently a fitting that had ruptured, which has set the shop back in the repairs. unfortunately i wont know anything more until monday.

[msimmons]

I have a 2000 NB 1.8 turbo APH with 102k on it that I bought in 2010 for my daughter and it began flashing it's coolant light about 3 weeks ago. I did a little unnecessary maintenance because it appeared the secondary water pump (behind the right cooling fan) was leaking a bit and I thought that was leading to pressure and circulation issues... not it... next was the thermostat... not it.. finally the teeth came off the timing belt (not related to the coolant light) and left her stuck on the side of the road. Roadside assistance towed her back to my shop where I went ahead an began an engine tear-down.

You are experiencing the beginning stage of the impeller cracking at it's hub, which causes the pulley to spin independently of the impeller - therefore there is no (real) circulation in the cooling system.

You can do a quick check by warming your engine and carefully touching the lower coolant hose. If it's cold and the upper coolant hose is warm, then you need to consider your options for replacing the pump.

It's not a difficult job IF you have the proper tools, space, and time. I have tons of pics to document my tear-down and a short video of what a my pump looked like. 2000 Beetle 1.8 turbo APH water pump - YouTube

[nitroman]

Originally Posted by digplants

Thanks IndyTom, I sincerely appreciate your efforts, but i just cannot afford to replace all those things at once, nor do i have the experience or tools to do so on my own. not to mention there is apparently a fitting that had ruptured, which has set the shop back in the repairs. unfortunately i wont know anything more until monday.

Digplants, I think what everyone is saying is that the replacement of those things are not optional, it is mandatory. If you can't afford it right now, then do not drive that car until you do. If you continue to keep driving it then extremely bad things are going to happen to the engine, and then you will have to buy a new car (or rebuild an engine).

[Boost Master D]

+1000 on the WP and TB. If finances are not there I can relate, but if this car is driven like this it WILL DEFINITELY be a matter of time before the pistons meet their distant cousins the valves. That sir will add thousands of dollars to the bill without a doubt. I know we have to do what we have to do and I have driven a few cars into the ground because I had no choice, but if possible park this little beast till you can get that WP and TB done. Good luck and cheers mate.

d

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by msimmons

I have a 2000 NB 1.8 turbo APH with 106k on it that I bought for my daughter that began flashing it's coolant light about 3 weeks ago. I did a little unnecessary maintenance because it appeared the secondary water pump (behind the right cooling fan) was leaking a bit and I thought that was leading to pressure and circulation issues... not it... next was the thermostat... not it.. finally the teeth came off the timing belt (not related to the coolant light) and left her stuck on the side of the road. Roadside assistance towed her back to my shop where I went ahead an began an engine tear-down.

You are experiencing the beginning stage of the impeller cracking at it's hub, which causes the pulley to spin independently of the impeller - therefore there is no (real) circulation in the cooling system.

You can do a quick check by warming your engine and carefully touching the lower coolant hose. If it's cold and the upper coolant hose is warm, then you need to consider your options for replacing the pump.

It's not a difficult job IF you have the proper tools, space, and time. I have tons of pics to document my tear-down and a short video of what a my pump looked like. 2000 Beetle 1.8 turbo APH water pump - YouTube

Thanks for posting the link to your video. That is exactly what I am trying to get across. Those "original" plastic impellar water pumps are not designed to last and some of them started failing as early as 45000 miles. That is lasted over 100k miles is a miracle. The new German Made units have metal impellars and are more heavy duty than the one put in by the factory. Was the shaft frozen on your waterpump? Is that why the timing belt jumped a few theeth? Would love to see your pics of the tear down. If you could post a link I would deeply appreciate it.
Thank you! Have a great weekend everyone!

[msimmons]

The pump's axle still spins just as free as a new pump, it definitely didn't seize. The plastic impeller fractured radially around it's base. I'm guessing it probably cracked due to small amounts of vibration causing fatigue (micro-fractures) in the plastic, made worse with the repeated heating/cooling of general use over time.

As far as the belt goes, I suspect it has been loosing teeth for awhile. Approximately 1/3 of them are gone, not just at the spot around the crank pulley like I expected. I'll organize my pics and get them up, but here are a couple shots of my belt in the meantime.

[IndyTom]

WOW, that is amazing. How the Heck did those Teeth just shave off like that?

[IndyTom]

Just another thought about the Red Flashing light you are having. It could also be the Expansion Tank Sensor itself.
They are known to fail and a new Expansion Tank which has the Sensor Built in will fix that issue:

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Expansion Tank > ES#1894532 Coolant Expansion Tank - 1C0121407F

I would also recommend a new Cap for the tank. The old one may or may not seal properly. They redesigned the cap and this is the new design you may want to go with:

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Expansion Tank Cap > ES#10026 Expansion Tank Cap - 3B0121321

Also did you check your Coolant sensor? It also could be failing especially if it never has been changed from the stock black one to the new design "Green" one:

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Coolant Sensor > ES#1892661 Coolant Temperature Sensor With O-Ring & Clip - 059919501A

Good Luck and keep us posted. !!

[VWTBS]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Just another thought about the Red Flashing light you are having. It could also be the Expansion Tank Sensor itself.
They are known to fail and a new Expansion Tank which has the Sensor Built in will fix that issue


Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Expansion Tank > ES#1894532 Coolant Expansion Tank - 1C0121407F

I would also recommend a new Cap for the tank. The old one may or may not seal properly. They redesigned the cap and this is the new design you may want to go with:

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Expansion Tank Cap > ES#10026 Expansion Tank Cap - 3B0121321

Also did you check your Coolant sensor? It also could be failing especially if it never has been changed from the stock black one to the new design "Green" one:

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Coolant Sensor > ES#1892661 Coolant Temperature Sensor With O-Ring & Clip - 059919501A

Good Luck and keep us posted. !!

I couldn't agree more!! This would definitely solve the red flashing light mystery. Take these experienced orgers' advice and not to drive your car if you can't get your TB/WP change this time. And yes, you need to get them done all together, this is not something optional. Good luck!

[msimmons]

I need to correct a statement I made earlier. I just got the head off and 1 intake and both exhaust valves on each calendar were smacked by the pistons. Parts and time just went from $^2 to $^3. Guess that answers my question about dropping the motor out! (its Yes...)

[Boost Master D]

Originally Posted by msimmons

I need to correct a statement I made earlier. I just got the head off and 1 intake and both exhaust valves on each calendar were smacked by the pistons. Parts and time just went from $^2 to $^3. Guess that answers my question about dropping the motor out! (its Yes...)

YIKES,..sorry to hear that your pistons met their neighbors, but in good news you get to have some fun with the rebuild. (well it would be fun for me) If I was close by, I'd lend you a hand. Good luck and godspeed with getting it back on the road.

[SkipTT]

The previous owner of my Bug had premature waterpump failure at 47K miles, and decided to ignore the little red light. She warped the head. There here pride sat in her garage for 2 years on jackstands as she didn't want to spend $6k for the dealer to do the repairs, then got tired of it sitting and finally finished paying it off, and this is where I came along, and got myself a 03 color concept with 48k miles for almost nothing. So after some fun work all of December, I have myself my new Winter beater, and the Wife's Summer fun car.

If you don't want to pay now, let it sit, and let someone that will take care of it take it off your hands, as you won't be doing yourself any justice by driving it.

And 150k on original timing/waterpump?!?!?!?! You've been watched by VW angels long enough! Time to pay your tax.