hi guys my VW polo has just started going wrong at the grand age of 16 with 170000 miles (well got to die sometime) anyway it will keeps on overheatin, but it doesnt do it all the time.

the first thing i see is the temp going up to 110º at which point i turn off, fan not going at this temp but even with the fan switched to go constantly it still over heats, there is no thermostat in it at the moment as i thought that would cure it but it still has problems. its almost as if the rad is not there sometimes as it can be running fine with the fan switching in traffic normally at others.

Mr RAC came out and had a look but said its fine as it wasnt overheating at that point and the head gasket is fine(think he thought i was crazy).

my second thought was that the water pump isnt working sometimes could this be the problem, there is no leaks anywhere.

sorry about my ramblings just wondering what is causing the intermitent problems.

any help greatfully received

regards

Mark

[Edited on 18/6/07 by myeates]

i seem to remember from my dim and distant past the same problem on a polo we had in and the water pump impeller had parted from the shaft and was'nt circulating coolant causing it to overheat and have a lukewarm heater

Water pump impellers coming off is a common problem with polos. One clue is even when its overheating the heater will only blow cool air . Make sure you fit a new thermostat at the same time. Fan not working could be?? because coolant is not circulating

You could try turning things ar$e about face and going for a Locost rad

bingo thanks guys at least you both said a similar thing will get new pump see if it sorts problem, hope so the cars got to last till locost is on road then itcan die but not yet.

that is exactly what is happening i was sat in car while it was getting very hot with my hand over the vent saying this isnt 100 degree air then thinking the gauge was wrong till it actually did get wet.

thanks very much

I had one where the stat would stick

no stat fitted, i took out to see it would fix it but didnt looks like water pump tho

Sounds like water pump to me.. The impellors often come of Vw's.

Better than a Mk4 Golf - apparently the flywheel has been known to un-rivet itself from the crankshaft...

just got my water pump off to change (will be putting new one on anyway) and guess what? water pump looks ok the impeller is still intact is there anything else it could be or could the impeller just be on its way out as the problem was intermitent

thanks again

just got my water pump off to change (will be putting new one on anyway) and guess what? water pump looks ok the impeller is still intact is there anything else it could be or could the impeller just be on its way out as the problem was intermitent

thanks again

The impeller is probably intact but spinning on the shaft . For some strange reason it can be an intermittant problem

ok did try to turn the impeller on shaft and couldne move it suppose it could be the heat