I have a '97 Golf GTI VR6. Since yesterday the cooling water overheats (I have to drive with the heat on the freeway to avoid major problems). The engine fan works but it is louder than usual and has a higher pitched noise since yesterday.
Anyone have any idea of what the problem is?
Thx

thermostats are a common failure on these. The flange that its in normally leaks coolant also.

If the fans work, but are louder than normal I would not suspect the fans are faulty, but dont ignore them if there making more noise than usual.