Need help with cooling system issue please

[g35ian]

Hi everyone...I'm new to this forum, I drive a G35 and my girlfriend has a Beetle. Well her Beetle has experienced some cooling issues recently I.E. no heat,red temp warning light.

I pulled her codes and got coolant temp. sensor(but the fans are turning on when needed), I figured maybe the thermostat was no good, Well I replaced that and I'm still getting no heat and the red temp light.

I have a Haynes manual it list the following as possible problems
water pump(still working)
surge tank cap(haven't checked)
thermostat(replaced)
clogged radiator
head gasket(the car runs fine so I really don't think it is a head gasket)

Can anyone shed any light on my situation and help me out?

Does anyone know if their is a bleeder valve to purge the cooling system?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...Thanks G35Ian

[FarrisK]

What is the red light doing? ie Flashing, or Solid.

[g35ian]

after about 20 minutes the red temp light will flash and beep on and off, this will last for about 2 minutes and it will repeat the process about every 5 minutes or so.

[g35ian]

BUMP

C'mon people 23 views and only 1 response

anybody...anybody..................anybody?

[cep]

Flashing red means coolant level is low. Is it?

[Genesis]

Sound like the Coolant is low. However, be sure to ONLY use G12 coolant from the Dealership. If it persist then it's possibly the Water Pump going out. How many miles are on her car? The water pump needs to be replace every 50k miles.

[vdubbugman53]

Originally Posted by Genesis

Sound like the Coolant is low. However, be sure to ONLY use G12 coolant from the Dealership. If it persist then it's possibly the Water Pump going out. How many miles are on her car? The water pump needs to be replace every 50k miles.

unless you get a metal water pump and it will last forever....even a plastic one ill last over 60k

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by vdubbugman53

unless you get a metal water pump and it will last forever....even a plastic one ill last over 60k

Wrong. Bearings still wear out. Water pump should be changed at every TB change...unless you like the water pump locking up, wrecking the TB and causing pistons to hit valves.

The only advantage the metal impeller pump has is that the impeller doesn't spin off at random.

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by g35ian

Hi everyone...I'm new to this forum, I drive a G35 and my girlfriend has a Beetle. Well her Beetle has experienced some cooling issues recently I.E. no heat,red temp warning light.

I pulled her codes and got coolant temp. sensor(but the fans are turning on when needed), I figured maybe the thermostat was no good, Well I replaced that and I'm still getting no heat and the red temp light.

I have a Haynes manual it list the following as possible problems
water pump(still working)
surge tank cap(haven't checked)
thermostat(replaced)
clogged radiator
head gasket(the car runs fine so I really don't think it is a head gasket)

Can anyone shed any light on my situation and help me out?

Does anyone know if their is a bleeder valve to purge the cooling system?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...Thanks G35Ian

Toss out the Haynes manual and get a Bentley manual. Haynes manuals are only good for propping up a coffee table.

How do you "know" the water pump is working? Is coolant circulating back into the tank when the engine is running?

Is the coolant level full? Have you tried replacing the coolant level sensor?

[bertybug]

sounds like the water pump for sure!! classic symtoms!

[g35ian]

I was thinking water pump also, her car just hit 90k and she bought it with 67k.

Are water pump a PITA to change on the Bug?

[antonym]

Originally Posted by g35ian

I was thinking water pump also, her car just hit 90k and she bought it with 67k.

Are water pump a PITA to change on the Bug?

Answer... YES, I did it! - Timing belt, water pump, accessory belt.

[g35ian]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

Toss out the Haynes manual and get a Bentley manual. Haynes manuals are only good for propping up a coffee table.

How do you "know" the water pump is working? Is coolant circulating back into the tank when the engine is running?

Is the coolant level full? Have you tried replacing the coolant level sensor?

I guess I don't know now, I never thought the water pump was plastic. I figured it was a traditional water pump that would seize up and not spin.

[g35ian]

Originally Posted by antonym

Answer... YES, I did it! - Timing belt, water pump, accessory belt.

WOW I just read your whole thread that was pretty impressive