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Have an '03 Jetta wagon that periodically
Sent to Car Experts May 07 10:40 AM

Have an '03 Jetta wagon that periodically indicated "low coolant", but reservoir was always full, visually. On trip over weekend, it overheated severely, so now may have multiple problems. What would be likely cause(s) for such, and what could be expected remedies from the overheatinf episode??    THX!!   Jay

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Info Request
May 7 10:54 AM (13 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         

Hello Jay,

It does sound like to different issues here. The level sensor in the coolant reservoir is probably sending a false signal if you are sure it stayed full. The overheating can be caused by a few different things, obviousley if it is low on coolant it will overheat. The thermostat could have stuck closed, or the engine cooling fans were not coming on when they are supposed to. Has the T-stat been replaced recently?



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Virtual Wrench -- ASE Master Tech . -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1888 Car Accepts
A.S.E. 29 years/Master Tech. Foreign and Domestic
Reply
May 7 9:42 PM (10 hours and 47 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
Thanks for your interest!! No, the t-stat never has been replaced, and never had any indication that it had failed, or was not functioning properly. But, obviously, somewhere along the way, coolant leaked out, or something else was amiss, but was liveable until my daughter-in-law started her trip. Now the car is being worked on in a small town in SC --- the mechanic says everything checks out (fans & controls, and water pump) but he feels he needs to replace the main engine gasket although we never saw "white" exhaust, or water in the oil!! Woe is me!!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 7 10:20 PM (38 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Well,,,the only thing i can say is that it's possible for the headgasket to fail where compression can enter the cooling system, but not necassarilly get coolant into the oil. If the tech is compentant, then that should take care of the problem.

One thing i would be concerned about is the cylinder head, it should be checked for heat cracks if it overheated pretty bad.

Best of luck, and if you have any further questions, just holler!



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Virtual Wrench -- ASE Master Tech . -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1888 Car Accepts
A.S.E. 29 years/Master Tech. Foreign and Domestic
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May 8 4:35 PM (18 hours and 14 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
Reply to Virtual Wrench's Post: Mr. Virtural Wrench, Sounds as if you're leery of his diagnosic, as I am. Anyway, what are other things that need to be checked and/or done to be sure nothing else is wrong, or to minimize the affect of the overheating?? I assume the oil & filter both need to be changed & the coolant flushed & replaced ... but what else?   THX!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 8 4:42 PM (7 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
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Virtual Wrench -- ASE Master Tech . -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1888 Car Accepts
A.S.E. 29 years/Master Tech. Foreign and Domestic
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May 8 7:13 PM (2 hours and 30 minutes and 4 seconds later)
         
Mr. Virtual Wrench, Is there any special flushing needed for the cooling or oil systems?? In other words, does the overheating episode likely cause any "sludging-up" of either system?? THX!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 8 7:26 PM (13 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Hello Jay,

Actually if anything, the engine getting so hot would have loosened up pretty much any sludge that would have been in there. I would however recommend changing the oil, and if the headgasket is ok, you could just make sure it's full off coolant with the proper protection level, remember antifreeze not only helps to prevent freezing, but it also works to keep the temp down.



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Virtual Wrench -- ASE Master Tech . -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1888 Car Accepts
A.S.E. 29 years/Master Tech. Foreign and Domestic
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