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93 Jetta 2.0 overheating

5K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  anamolydetected 
#1 ·
Hello..i have been reading through forum posts for the past several hours..and didn't not find my exact issue.

My jetta (aka. Miss Scarlet) first overheated while returning on a 'long' hilly trip from the south side of the island...i was 4-5 miles from the nearest gas station when my coolant light came on. Since the car wasn't really acting hot and my needle was still in the middle (though now i'm slightly wondering if my temp-sensor is working even), i made it to the gas station...waited for 30min..then topped off the expansion tank and continued home.

Since then i have had continued overheating problems..it will even overheat idling. here's what i have done/checked thus far:

First, i removed the cap and attempted to massage all the coolant hoses to remove any possible air..let it idle for about 6min..then i revved the engine past 3k in case the thermostat was closed yet ..then i hopped out and it seemed to be clearing the last of the air out of the lines..nice bubbles i thought
both fans are running... but hmm, it doesn't stabilize? -just keeps gurgling...

Second, shut off the car, both fans still running..but then liquid started gushing out of the exp. tank. I wait (thinking maybe an air bubble could still be the culprit)..then i ended up filling almost a half gallon..more massaging the hoses (almost feels like there is a bubble i can't get out of the largest of the hoses->the one from the top of the radiator leading to the engine)..tried running the car again..5 min later, same exact problem.

After reading around the forums, i decided to check my t-stat by feeling the upper and lower radiator hose temps...i notice that when the upper one is too hot to hold onto for more than a couple seconds, the lower is pretty warm..but not nearly as hot as the upper.

Does this sound like a a simple thermostat issue? or is it normal that the lower is just not quite as hot as the upper??

**i RREALLY hope i don't have to mess with the cooling system much..the last owner obviously had something he couldn't figure out..because the heater core was removed, and supposedly the radiator, water pump, t-stat, exp. tank/cap, radiator, and temp sensor were all replaced...and THEN he wired the fans for manual operation.

Well, after 6 months of faithful cruzn..I might have to take Miss Scarlet to the doctor's office (aka some local mechanic dude), but id appreciate any advice that could save me time or money/frustration. Thanks!​
 
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#2 ·
It's your thermostat. It's not opening up to allow coolant to fully flow into the block. Thereby causing your overheat. Easy fix. Just find a bentley manual and do it yourself for less than fifty bucks.
 
#3 ·
Thanks! yeah, i was thinking the water level should have dropped at some point (when the t-stat opened) while i from cold, idled to warm-up...instead, it started to steam just a little..then lots of burping and gurgling..meanwhile the water level didn't drop. Cool, i will go pick up more of the red coolant its been running and grab a new thermostat (and bentley manual).

I'm assuming i can't just run without the bugga?? ->even though i live on an island that never drops below like 70degrees in winter? -is it true the thermostat passively controls pressure when open? -id luv to just pull it out..haha.

Thanks again bro!
 
#5 ·
dealing wit some wat the same issue in my 94...ive put a new t-stat/pump/re timed it, gona buy a fan switch, my fans dont kick on at all, but if i stick a paper clip in where the fan switch get cliped they run fine...+ this car has been sitting since 05 :( sad thing...good luck wit this bro..
 
#9 ·
Good luck to u as well! ...my poor car had the heater core bypassed..and the fans wired to a switch..guess the last owner couldn't figure out wtf was with his fans...but that's what is extra weird with my current issue, i have mostly all the parts replaced in the last 3-4yrs -water pump, hoses, the little plastic junctions, radiator, thermo, the sensors, and the 'bubble' and cap.

And so, i am hoping its only a stuch thermostat (2yrs old)..and maybe the bubble too. Hopefully Monday i will find out...i will post my results.

Aloha!
 
#6 ·
Make sure to also change your coolant reservoir bubble... since it overheated the bubble expanded and wont hold its pressure on the waterlines...

And for the thermostat just order a stock one i wouldnt really recommend a aftermarket one that keeps it cooler.. im just saying
 
#7 ·
Yes there is a small hole that allows for fluid to flow before it fully opens thereby controlling pressure. Def make sure you don't have a bubble release on the thermostat housing. My suggestion would be for you to leave a tstat in. You are opening a whole box of problems if you don't. You can however get one that opens at a different temp depending on your region.
 
#8 ·
Yes there is a small hole that allows for fluid to flow before it fully opens thereby controlling pressure. Def make sure you don't have a bubble release on the thermostat housing. My suggestion would be for you to leave a tstat in. You can however get one that opens at a different temp depending on your region.
3 questions:
1)You say there is a small hole for fluid to flow *Before* opening...my question was whether it is restricting flow *after* it is open? -however, after more reading i'm gonna just replace it.

2)Recommendation for the temp of thermo i should get? -160?? -living in Hawaii

3)hmmm...possibly my bubble is not holding the proper pressure?...well, after the thermostat replacement i suppose i will be able to tell if thats the case, as i should have steam coming out the side of the bubble still..yeah?

THANK YOU everyone for your help! You save me so much needless frustrations in dealing with the many unqualified mechanics on this island! :):)
 
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