1.9tdi Overheating

[daz1974]

Hi i'm new to the group so please be gentle :lol:

 

I have a 02 1.9tdi galaxy which has run like a dream for the last year (having to top water up every 2 week but no overheating)

Anyway recently went out and it was driving fine until the temp gauge shot up to about 120, but when driving downhill e.g. not under pressure settled back down to 90. Anyway got home took out thermostat and tested it, it did open eventually but i decided to replace with new. flushed system out completely and got rid of all air locks!!! But problem still exists when under pressure (going up hill) it overheats and fan doesn't kick in. ive checked the rad and it's cold but the car is overheating.

I have also checked water pump, check for blockages on all water system including rad. The heaters are lovely and warm both front and rear.

I now have spent 8 days trying to suss it out and now i'm at a total loss somebody please help !! :29:

Thanks Daz

[bhbobhill]

Hi i'm new to the group so please be gentle :lol:

 

I have a 02 1.9tdi galaxy which has run like a dream for the last year (having to top water up every 2 week but no overheating)

Anyway recently went out and it was driving fine until the temp gauge shot up to about 120, but when driving downhill e.g. not under pressure settled back down to 90. Anyway got home took out thermostat and tested it, it did open eventually but i decided to replace with new. flushed system out completely and got rid of all air locks!!! But problem still exists when under pressure (going up hill) it overheats and fan doesn't kick in. ive checked the rad and it's cold but the car is overheating.

I have also checked water pump, check for blockages on all water system including rad. The heaters are lovely and warm both front and rear.

I now have spent 8 days trying to suss it out and now i'm at a total loss somebody please help !! :29:

Thanks Daz

[bhbobhill]

Hi Daz

If I were you the first thing I would do is a pressure test on the whole system.

Check the oil for water, it will look milky.

Is the water showing any signs of oil in it.

You say you have been losing water over a period of time,this could be the cylinder head gasket.

Sorry if this is bad news but needs checking out.

Best of luck

Bob Hill

also a newbie

[daz1974]

I also thought head gasket but there is no signs whatsoever of contamination e.g oil in water or vice versa

Plus the cold rad is confusing, also forgot to mention when it overheats there is loads of pressure in header tank but if i leave it 10 mins before removing cap all the pressure has gone

Cheers Daz

[bhbobhill]

I also thought head gasket but there is no signs whatsoever of contamination e.g oil in water or vice versa

Plus the cold rad is confusing, also forgot to mention when it overheats there is loads of pressure in header tank but if i leave it 10 mins before removing cap all the pressure has gone

Cheers Daz

[bhbobhill]

Hi Daz

Run the car with the pressure cap off and see if it gasses up. You may see bubbles coming up through the coolant.

This is another sign of head gasket failure.

Best of luck

Bob

[bhbobhill]

Hi Daz

Go back to basics, you say the fan doesn't kick in, check it and the sensor.

Double check the water pump in case it has gone altogether.

Is the temp gauge OK.

How much water did you lose or how much did you have to add.

Just some extra thoughts.

Regards

Bob Hill

[Amarok]

Daz,

run it Without the stat, feel the pipes for flow and check the header tank for flow, on a diesel it shouldn't even start to register but if it starts to get hot 'Houston We Have a Problem!!'

[daz1974]

Hi Daz

Run the car with the pressure cap off and see if it gasses up. You may see bubbles coming up through the coolant.

This is another sign of head gasket failure.

Best of luck

Bob

 

I have ran it without pressure cap (purely by accident) and it didnt overheat but lost water, no bubbles in coolant as i can see

 

Daz

[daz1974]

i tried to run without stat but it leaked water from housing did i miss something out when putting back together

 

cheers daz

[bhbobhill]

Hi Daz

To run without the thermostat, you might have to take the middle out of it and replace the remainder back this is because the thermostat may be part of the seal arrangement like my previous vehicle which was a merc c200 which had a rubber seal.

I hope you understand what I mean and makes sense.

Regards

Bob Hill

[roy202]

Hi first things first you need to find the water leak, the car wont run properly with a leak, if you cant find a leak the only places the water can be going is out the exhaust or in the oil, if thats the case unfortunatly its a head off job by the sounds of it!

Alternatly just keep topping it up with water until the problem gets worse so that you can pin point it that way.....

[chrispb123456]

Hi Daz

Remove the small hose from the top of the water bottle, remove cap, extend hose into filler start engine and observe end of pipe, (make sure coolant is up to the maximum mark) small quantities of coolant and any air bubbles should be ejected into the bottle.

If there is nothing the restriction (small metered hole) inside the hose is probably blocked,large quantities of air being ejected is most certainly head gasket or other head problems.

[daz1974]

Hi Daz

Remove the small hose from the top of the water bottle, remove cap, extend hose into filler start engine and observe end of pipe, (make sure coolant is up to the maximum mark) small quantities of coolant and any air bubbles should be ejected into the bottle.

If there is nothing the restriction (small metered hole) inside the hose is probably blocked,large quantities of air being ejected is most certainly head gasket or other head problems.

 

 

Hi I have done that on tick over there is hardly anything coming out but rev to about 3000 and water and a bit of air come out, ive checked for blockages on the pipe and it's clear

 

thanks daz

[seatkid]

02 version would have the water pump with the plastic impeller. These become detached from the shaft and spin feebly (slipping on the shaft) so very low circulation. The reason your fans dont kick in is there is not enough pumping action to get water round the radiator, the temp switch is half way down the radiator IIRC

 

You can check the water pump by getting your finger inside and see if the impeller moves when you push it.

Edited October 6, 2011 by seatkid

[daz1974]

02 version would have the water pump with the plastic impeller. These become detached from the shaft and spin feebly (slipping on the shaft) so very low circulation. The reason your fans dont kick in is there is not enough pumping action to get water round the radiator, the temp switch is half way down the radiator IIRC

 

You can check the water pump by getting your finger inside and see if the impeller moves when you push it.

 

Hi thanks for the reply, I have done that and I cannot move the impeller and I've started it up and it moves OK.

don't want to go through all of the hassle of removing head when I cant get my head round why the rad is cold, that is the only thing stopping me stripping the head

Getting desperate now lol

[chrispb123456]

Hi Daz

Going back to your earlier thread you said you left the cap off accidently and it didn't overheat then, did the radiator feel hot at that time, also you said you had been topping it up regularly this is not right if it's not leaking somewhere eg, hoses or heater matrix's or the metal pipes under the car then it's being blown out the exhaust or through the rad cap, also is your electric run on pump working? it can cause premature gasket failure if it's not.

 

Summary

By what you have said I think you have had early stages of head gasket failure for some time, and now it's started to get worse.

[seatkid]

You say you started it up and the water pump moves ok? But are you sure the impeller is moving as well and is not jammed?

 

Head problem wouldnt give a cold radiator. Radiator might be blocked though.

Edited October 6, 2011 by seatkid

[daz1974]

Hi Daz

Going back to your earlier thread you said you left the cap off accidently and it didn't overheat then, did the radiator feel hot at that time, also you said you had been topping it up regularly this is not right if it's not leaking somewhere eg, hoses or heater matrix's or the metal pipes under the car then it's being blown out the exhaust or through the rad cap, also is your electric run on pump working? it can cause premature gasket failure if it's not.

 

Summary

By what you have said I think you have had early stages of head gasket failure for some time, and now it's started to get worse.

 

 

The electric run pump was seized when it 1st overheated but now works fine!!!

Yeah when I left cap off rad was warm but it lost water

If I squeeze the bottom hose while the car is running then eventually the rad will get hot and the fans kick in

really clutching at straws here don't fancy changing head but also don't really want to spend money on new rad unless I'm sure it is that :)

thanks daz

[chrispb123456]

Hi Daz

Going back to your earlier thread you said you left the cap off accidently and it didn't overheat then, did the radiator feel hot at that time, also you said you had been topping it up regularly this is not right if it's not leaking somewhere eg, hoses or heater matrix's or the metal pipes under the car then it's being blown out the exhaust or through the rad cap, also is your electric run on pump working? it can cause premature gasket failure if it's not.

 

Summary

By what you have said I think you have had early stages of head gasket failure for some time, and now it's started to get worse.

 

 

The electric run pump was seized when it 1st overheated but now works fine!!!

Yeah when I left cap off rad was warm but it lost water

If I squeeze the bottom hose while the car is running then eventually the rad will get hot and the fans kick in

really clutching at straws here don't fancy changing head but also don't really want to spend money on new rad unless I'm sure it is that :)

thanks daz

I think you've confirmed it, by leaving the cap off your allowing the air to escape instead of passing around the system, personally I would have no hesitation in taking the head off, get yourself one of those test kits to confirm.

[TDIPAZ]

HI... the Electric water pump on bulk head, is for water circulation to aux-heater matrix at rear of car.. but does do some circulation around generaly..

Me thinks! YOUR MECHANICAL WATER PUMP IS KNACKERED... driven off your timming belt.. Problem is the plastic impeller detaches from the shaft. thus engine Over heating .

Crap German design! :rolleyes: Hope you've solved the problem before you read this mail and not spent out on wrong diagnoses :(

[dean069]

Just a quick one

My galaxy was overheating not all the time just when a load was put on the engine up hill or fast

I thought with a little help from a friend it was the Fan not coming on but it was not

So i had the water pump changed and Bobs your uncle job done

Thanks for help in other peoples threads

Dean

[seatkid]

Just a quick one

My galaxy was overheating not all the time just when a load was put on the engine up hill or fast

I thought with a little help from a friend it was the Fan not coming on but it was not

So i had the water pump changed and Bobs your uncle job done

Thanks for help in other peoples threads

Dean

Great to hear you fixed it and great that you posted it here. If only everyone did the same we'd have a lot less of running round in circles and barking up wrong trees. :blink:

[Audiman]

I had the same problem - your water pump is knackered.

Plastic impeller is spinning on the metal spindle.

 

Don't be tempted to change it for a metal impeller - reason why plastic is used.....just incase of "bearing failure", using a metal impeller would damaged the alloy head.

 

I agree with Seatkid's comments

[Audiman]

Oops .... you already got it fixed.