98 new beetle coolant problems

[Herby3]

I need help. I was out of town, and my heater wasn't getting hot, so I thought that the thermistat was stuck. My red coolant light was flashing and when I stopped I noticed the plastic peice were the coolant temp sensors are was cracked and leaking. My trouble codes are p0116 and p0118 coolant temp CKT range/High input. I just don't know what caused it or were to start.Would the thermistat cause that or is it something else. I have to go home 700 miles to florida and dont know where to begin. I need help. Please HELP me ASAP
Thank You
Herby3

[boschmann]

The lack of heat was probably due to low coolant level from the leak. The flange you mention is very prone to cracking, they are available aftermarket & from VW, just replace all the o-rings for the sensors too. The codes could have been set due to coolant loss, but the coolant temp sensor is prone to failure also. You would need to check the computer's datastream to see if the sensor's data value is correct.

[Herby3]

Hey Thanks for the info.Now that I replaced the thermistat and flange,etc.
Now it's still over heating. and the heater inside the car is not getting hot? I don't no where to go from here. The fans don't seem to be cycling on, even though they work. it gets hot real fast ,Please help me figure out what to do now. I checked all fuses,OK>
Let me know ASAP
Thank You
Herby3

[boschmann]

What engine? You may want to pull the upper radiator hose & fill through there to be sure the engine doesn't have an air lock. Check to see if the lower hose & bottom of the radiator are getting hot.

[Herby3]

Hey.2.0 5 speed. Yes the radiator hoses get hot, but the heater core hoses aren't. I'm now thinking that the heater core is clogged up. Would that cause the engine to over heat? The radiator fans are not cycling on, but I think it's because the heater core. The engine is getting hot, but the radiator isn't enough to cycle the fans on. What do you think?Could it be something else?
Let me know!
Thank You

Herby3

p.s I've already changed the thermistat and coolant flange and flushed the system. Is there a bleeder valve on the 2.0? Have'nt seen one. I squeezed the upper hose many times with cap off to expel the air.

[Herby3]

I flushed out the heater core and hoses, but still over heating and no heat inside? The bottom radiator hose is not hot, even though I changed the thermistat could it be bad or is it the water pump?How can I check to see if the water is circulating?
Let me know
Thank You
Herby3

[Herby3]

I just removed the thermistat to see if that was the problem. But still over heating and fans not cycling on and the heater output is still cold.
Please help me figure out what it is>water pump>coolant sensors>thermal switch>
Thank You
Herby3

[boschmann]

Heater core will not cause the problem. Is your water pump driven off the timing belt or a v-belt?

[Herby3]

The Timing belt. I just don't know how to check it. It's real involved to change the water pump. You have to remove the engine mount and timing belt to remove the water pump. If you know how to check it,or what else it could be,Let me know ASAP
Thank You
Herby3

[boschmann]

Those water pumps are very prone to break. The impeller will come loose from the shaft & it won't pump water anymore. Most likely this is you're problem.

[Herby3]

Thank Tou I'll give it a try and let you know>

[veedubmechanic]

If your car only overheats when accelerating and you have replaced the ect its most likely the waterpump. I have seen though a 99 beetle 2.0 with overheating problem and the thermostat/waterpump/ect all replaced and found out the cylinder head was warped and head gasket bad. but thats worst case senero.

[Herby3]

It over heats just sitting still. I just think it's got to be the water pump. I don't know what else it could be.
Thanks

[Herby3]

Thanks It was the water pump blade, was broke. Why do they make them out of plastic?

[veedubmechanic]

Thats what everyone always asks....Its problably to save money on parts. Plastic is cheaper to produce than metal. You can get aftermarket water pumps that use Metal blades that WONT EVER FRIGGEN BREAK LIKE VW POS plastic ones... yea Neway good luck on the car.