Volkswagen Beetle overheating

I have a 1999 VW Beetle with a 2.0 engine. The coolant does not seem to circulate through the radiator. The top hose gets hot and the bottom hose does not. I have replaced the thermostat and water pump. Before I bought the car someone had blocked the coolant circulation through the oil cooler and had wired both fans to run whenever the ignition switch is on. I have flushed the cooling system and water flows through the engine and radiator in what seems to be a normal manner.

If the top hose gets hot then at least it means there is some circulation. The thermostat isn't in back to front? What about the radiator - will coolant flow thru it properly or are some of the tubes blocked. Has someone used "green" coolant ....this forms sludge when mixed with the proper "red" coolant and blocks the water passages. Can you check the new pump hasn't sheared some fins already - look in thru the thermostat housing. Does the heater work - if so then the pump is pumping. Good Luck.

Where is the water pump located? I am having the same problem. I had heat before I changed the thermostat. The hose coming from the radiator going to engine feels as though it has alot of pressure in it. There looks like there is somingthing installed in the hose, is it some sort of pressure switch? Also there looks as if there is some sort of sensor in that hose.

Is this a common problem with the New Beetles?

If every 60 to 100,000km is common then yes, it is a common problem.