Golf Mk2 '92 heater problem

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benpost - 18 Feb 2009 18:31 GMT

I have an old Mk2 1800 Driver, J reg last of the mark 2's. Its just
done 238,000 miles and I have had a few minor issues lately but the
engine just keeps on going.

A few months ago I noticed a drip under the bonnet and found It was
losing water, I managed to top it up and get home. It was the radiator
leaking, one of those rad weld things you crumble into the system did
the trick.

First of all the area at the back under the bonnet, where leaves
collect became full of water because the outlets at each corner were
blocked. unfortunately before I noticed a lot of this water had
overflowed and I've ended up with saturated carpets especially rear-
drivers side. Keep nicking paper towels from petrol garages to mop it
up... amazing how much water there is.

At the same time the heaters have stopped working. Instead of nice and
hot I'm getting slightly warm air in the car. Coolant level is ok. So
any ideas what this might be? I could do with the heaters working to
assist with drying out the interior!! Any other ideas as well as how
I could dry the inside before it starts smelling too bad.

Cheers

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Chris Bartram - 18 Feb 2009 22:29 GMT

> A few months ago I noticed a drip under the bonnet and found It was
> losing water, I managed to top it up and get home. It was the radiator
> leaking, one of those rad weld things you crumble into the system did
> the trick.

Ooops.

> First of all the area at the back under the bonnet, where leaves
> collect became full of water because the outlets at each corner were
> blocked. unfortunately before I noticed a lot of this water had
> overflowed and I've ended up with saturated carpets especially rear-
> drivers side. Keep nicking paper towels from petrol garages to mop it
> up... amazing how much water there is.

You really should clear the drains, if you haven't already done so.

> At the same time the heaters have stopped working. Instead of nice and
> hot I'm getting slightly warm air in the car. Coolant level is ok. So
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Cheers

You have blocked up the heater. See 'Oooops' above. Radweld type things
are often not a good thing. Time for a new radiator, a flush out, and
new decent coolant.

There's a restrictor valve in the heater circuit for a start, that was
fitted after it was found a good few heater matrixes burst and showered
people with hot coolant. One of the relatively few weaknesses of MK2
Golfs, and they were recalling them and repairing under goodwill well
into the mid 90s, even when the cars were technically out of warranty.

I'd guess you've blocked that valve, or the matrix itself. The valve is
fitted (IIRC) close to the bulkhead where the pipes pass thorugh. It
might improve with a flush, or it might not.

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benpost - 19 Feb 2009 18:13 GMT

Thanks for your thorough response Chris, what you say makes total
sense and I do remember that recall now. I will ask my mechanic to
check the valve isn't blocked.

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