Alhambra Tdi Cooling Issues

[niall1001]

hi all,i have a 2001 tdi alhambra with heating and engine cooling issues,a few months ago i stopped getting heat through the heater,upon inspection of the radiator i diagnosed a faulty thermostat as the rad and thermostat housing hose to rad were stone cold!!

 

having replaced the thermostat for a genuine vw part,it still isnt opening and closing properly,ive bled the system now on numerous occasions and wen stationary i can get the stat to open and the rad is red hot and heat coming from both heaters,but wen going for a drive it goes stone cold and the stat wont open.

 

ive had a sniff test done on the system today to see if the head gasket has failed but came back clear,also it appears that there is sufficent water coming back to the expansion tank to think it cant be the water pump,im at a loss to what it could be!!!

 

also as well wen going for a drive at motorway speeds its ok for about 20 mins but then the temp rises to almost 130 degrees!!!

can any of you guys help??????

Edited March 29, 2013 by niall1001

[chrispb123456]

You need to physically check the water pump impeller is not slipping on the pump shaft, remove the stat again feel through the opening if the impeller is in position and fixed to the shaft.

Other than that I would say head gasket, sniff test can be inconclusive at idle as the pressurisation usually occurs when engines under load

[niall1001]

ok,will check that tomorrow,and will advise,many thanks

[niall1001]

have checked water pump,was fine,did another sniff test without engine under load,fluid changed to brown,so I'm guessing early signs of head gasket failure,would any1 know roughly how much it would cost???

 

also will like to add it was losing water last year but not much,I just couldn't find where it was leaking!1

Edited March 30, 2013 by niall1001

[chrispb123456]

Price, have a ring around, realistically in a garage £300 to £600 may be more

Would advise having head refaced (skimmed) also replace cam belt and idler/tensioner and of course the water pump, would also clean turbo vanes while turbo is off.

[niall1001]

many thanks m8,I've already told the wife I'm gonna replace cam belt,water pump etc,luckily iv got a friend if a friend who's got a Sharon with the same engine who he rebuilt himself so I'm hoping he will do mine,but at least I got a price in my head..

[niall1001]

AN UPDATE;

 

while ive been waiting for a garage to get back to me,its suddenly started throwin out a bluish smoke out the back,smells of burning oil and the oil pressure light has popped up on the dash,im wondering now if its more serious than a head gasket!!!!!

[BrianH]

head gasket could have blown to the extent of letting oil get into the combustion chamber area which would cause the blue smoke. Might also account for the lack of pressure being indicated.

 

I'd suggest not using it until you find out what it is as you could risk killing the engine and/or the cat if its leaking that badly. Obviously overheating it isn't going to help.

 

Just a thought on the original problem - are you sure the radiator isn't blocked? it would explain the water circulation issues (and if your intending fixing the other things mentioned above would be a good idea to flush it anyway to ensure you don't still have problems).