2002 Passat up and ran hot! Help!!!!!

:frown: Hello. I am a 2nd owner of a 2002 VW Passat 1.8T. Have not had any problems out of my car since I got it last September. Have had regular oil changes, and top offs as needed.

Got on the Freeway yesterday and all of a sudden the water symbol came on and the monitor said STOP, Check owners manual, and the temperature gauge went nuts, over to 260. Pulled off the freeway let it cool, just happened to be by a JEGS automotive place, they said the water was not low, my car was not steamming nothing. We sat until it cooled and then went over to Advanced Auto they put it on their machine and no codes were detected, temperture gauge stayed at 190 as normal. Sat let it cool and then proceeded home got about 2-3 miles gauge started creeping up.

Could this be a stuck thermostat? Also, what is the best type of anti-freeze to put in my VW? Is there a specific brand I am able to get in the auto parts store like Advanced Auto or Auto Zone? What color should it be, red, green, orange?? HELP!

Thanks

Usually, when the thermostat is stuck then the temperature will go down (i think the thermostat is thermal-mechanical, not electronical). I had similar problem, only the temperature went down. It sounds like the temperature reading gauge is dirty in the motor or going bad. When temperature is at 126C then the water will boil, and I think you'll be able to see something when open the hood.

Also, you need to use 100% synthetic oil 5w30, if you havent. If not then, there is a possibility of sludge which is bad. Turbo runs very hot, so it needs synthetic oil to keep it lubricated. Break down temperature is twise as of the regular oil.

The best antifreeze is the pink one, whatever VW recomends, just go to VW dealership, ask if it needs dillution usually 50% x 50%.

So what would you suggest my next step to be getting the oil changed? or Trying to change the thermostat first?

I would determine what type of oil is in car, if it's regular--change it to synthetic asap, I am not sure about flushing if one is needed. Synthetic needs only changed from 5,000mi and up. Thermostat is probably good. Next time it happens--check the temperature under the hood--if it's really hot.

I really want to say first off i appreciate your help! thank you!
I contacted the oil change place and they said they used Synthetic oil 5-40.
Is that a problem?

Your water pump is faulty. They use a metal gear on the timing belt side and a plastic pump on the inside of the engine. What happens is the plastic impeller breaks off and there is insufficient cooling at HW speeds but when idling or slow speed driving there is.

You have to remove the timing belt to replace the pump. Its covered under warranty 5yr 60k miles at the dealer.

I bought my car used and there is no warranty left it has 81,000 miles on it. What would be the approximate cost to have the water pump replaced? Other than the dealer what is the best place to have the work done?

To do timing belt with water pump, pulley, and work--about $600 or more, and synthetic 5w-40 is good, just another possible problem out of the way. The plastic part is an impeller which is sold as a metallic one. When changing pump--change all that is mentioned on top.

The pump at vw is about 80.00
Timing belt job is about 5-600 at dealer.

I do them locally side jobs off the clock for 250+parts (about 350-400 total)

veedubmechanic are you in the Columbus, OH area?

sorry, minnesota

Veedubmechanic and Will 12,

I just wanted to say thank you for all you help! I was told it was my waterpump, timing belt, thermostat and radiator fan clutch. What exactly does the radiator fan clutch have to do with it?

Thanks again.

Vdubgirl07

Radiator fan clutch is a small clutch that the main fan is on. You can turn it by hand when the motor is not running, that's so the transition is smooth when motor starts. Why it needs replacing--I don't know. I guess if the fan rotates, then it's good. Also, for the most time the original parts are better than the new ones anyways--I would confirm if change needed though. Also, thermostat could be good too, if the water pump is bad. But make sure you change the timing belt tensioner pulley!!!

Veedubmechanic and Will 12,

I just wanted to say thank you for all you help! I was told it was my waterpump, timing belt, thermostat and radiator fan clutch. What exactly does the radiator fan clutch have to do with it?

Thanks again.

Vdubgirl07

Timing belt should not have anything to do directly with overheating. Might be worth replacing while they were in there. On most cars, it's usually normal to replace the fan clutch if you do the water pump, but not absolutely necessary if it is not bad. Not sure why the thermostat would go at the same time all the other stuff did, but maybe where it is on this car, it's something else they do while they are in there. Most likely, the only thing really broken was the water pump. :2cents:

I can tell you the thermostat is not bad. And the only way the fan clutch would be bad is if they broke it taking it off (kinda complicated for those that dont know vw's.)

I have only seen 2 thermostats go bad before on a vw