96 jetta 2.0 normal operating temp

[jwmorrow]

I have a 96 jetta gls 2.0 and the temp at idle after 10 min is 230 deg on the gauge. I flushed and changed the antifreeze (60%). and it still is the same. The fan dose not come on though untill later (5-10min) but only for a short time. the heater also dose not work at first untill i drive or rev the engine. Do i have a problem or is it gauge. The car has 150000mi and the oil was change 100mi ago. there is no leak that I can see(antifreeze). the old antifreeze was kind of brown. any help would be appreciated. Thanx

[Doug Tatham]

Burp the hoses to make sure that you don't have a big bubble in it. Squeeze the hoses with the engine warm and see if there is flow through them (use a towel it's hot!). Turn on the heater and see if the water is circulating through it. If there is no flow, your water pump may be shot. My relatively new pump stopped working because the impeller came loose. Your temperature sensors that tell the fan to turn on may be out. They're cheap and easy to replace.