Temp light warning - but coolant looks ok?

[Burke]

Hello.

My temp light was flashing at me this morning after a "get up and go" from a stop light.
Got to work and looked at my coolant level under the hood.. Looks fine to me.
I am about 200miles overdue of an oil change, (ya, I know) but that's about it.

Think my sensor needs to be replaced?

(2001 5sp 2.0)


* my coolant level is good
* fans are turning
* engine feels cool

Thanks~~

Burke~

[from Margaritaville...]

While at running temperature, use EXTREME caution and check both radiator hoses for firmness and heat...

[99beetlefl]

I have once seen a broken float inside the reservoir, causing the coolant light to be constantly on. Just take a look inside the bottle. Find some way to temp check the engine. I think if it was really overheating, you would know it.

[Burke]

Ok thanks.

At idle, its fine. Even after freeway and warning, I can come to an idle and wait a few -then it's fine.

But I'll look at that, thanks.

Ya, physically the manifold is fine (cooler than normal due to me running the heater at full blast "just in case")

[Burke]

Yeah the right tube is hot and soft, the left tube is cold and hard..
(standing in front of the car)

what does that mean?

[vdubbugman53]

you can also get the car hot and see if it looks like your coolent is ready to over flow

[Burke]

Which I think I noticed that as well.

.. (looked "too full" to me after it got hot - cold it looks normal)

[1idjack]

Originally Posted by Burke

Yeah the right tube is hot and soft, the left tube is cold and hard..
(standing in front of the car)

what does that mean?

thermostat not opening?

[Burke]

Well my heater is working.. that meant the thermo was working in my mustang 5.0 days..

but I'm not sure..
Could be stuck.
Where is it located (you have a pic?)
part # needed?


Thanks~

[vdubbugman53]

when i lost my pump it my res got way full....thermo was working just pump was not pushing any water....my vote is on the pump...if heater is workin your thurmo is workin...thermo is on the left front side of the block. fallow the lower tad hose under the oil filter and it will come up in to the front of the block. you will see screws to take that off. it is i in there

[Burke]

Ok.
I just talked to a local repair guy. He said since my heater was working, that should mean my pump is ok...

I went outside just now and my coolant tank looked lower than it should, but got her hot and it looked way to high. The right radiator hose gets really hot, but that bottom one feels cool.
The little hose from the coolant tank feels like there is warm liquid in it.

hmm...

well, I have an appointment NEXT thursay.. earliest somebody can take a look.. bleh..
anybody here local to Boise/Meridian ID?

[PostO]

I'm willing to wager it's the water pump. The age of your car puts it right where they start to fail. VW uses a plastic impeller and it ends up getting brittle and either spins on the shaft or falls apart. You may as well have the timing belt replaced if it ends up being the water pump.

[Burke]

Have a good link to a waterpump and belt?
Thanks.

(even ebay would be fine)

[vdubbugman53]

get the whole kit from ECSTuning.com

[Burke]

is this right?
http://www.evwparts.com/Merchant2/me...=PassatCooling

ok, i'll check that site too. Thanks man.

[Burke]

well, talked to the tech again and asked if he had the water pump in stock. He said again, that since my heater works, that means the water pump is pushing water fine...

hmm..
man, I'm a Ford guy.. I have no idea on these Vdub's..

[vdubbugman53]

yea it may be pushing some water. you may not have all the fins in tact...that is what happened to me...when mine went as long as i was driving in the city i was fine but if i got in the highway i would over heat just cuz i still have a few fins left on my pump

[Burke]

Yep, it was my impeller.
SO, I'm on about 70K miles and need that "60K service" thing done anyways.

so to do that and the new metal water pump, I am being quoted $800-900ish.

I have a K&N and just did the oil myself.

sound about right?


I heard, "cabinet filter, plugs, belts, rings, pump, " stuff like that.

sound ok?
(he may also do my new headlight bulbs.. since they are out. showed me how easy they where to replace...)

[LadybugEwa]

I'd say that sounds more like a dealer quote than a 'local repair guy' quote, but maybe it's the greenbacks confusing me...