Mark 2 Golf 1.4 heater problem

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John Stubbings - 19 Dec 2006 22:20 GMT

When I start the car the heater works fine, but as soon as it warms up
and hits a certain point on the temp gauge it blows cold for the rest of
the journey. Any ideas?

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pfjw@aol.com - 20 Dec 2006 00:13 GMT

> When I start the car the heater works fine, but as soon as it warms up
> and hits a certain point on the temp gauge it blows cold for the rest of
> the journey. Any ideas?

I would guess that your system is low on coolant such that you are
getting a void when the engine is warm... which would manifest as
nothing through your heater.

Starting from cold, you may need to add coolant just as the system
warms up and the thermostat opens. You will see a flow through your
overflow tank, keep adding until the "Max" line is reached at full
flow, then a bit more. With the heater FULL ON, of course so as to
maximize flow through it. Allow to cool and then remove whatever "too
much" is in place. NOTE: You are doing this entire process with the
coolant cap off, so wear gloves, eye-protection and mind your spillage.
Ethylene Glycol is deadly to small animals and pets, and its sweet
smell often attracts dogs (and cats) to lick it. Better you should use
any of several non-toxic (propylene glycol based) materials available
these days.

Unless you have an 'automatic climate control' type system which would
need a more formal diagnosis. But try the above first.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA

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John Stubbings - 26 Dec 2006 22:21 GMT

> > When I start the car the heater works fine, but as soon as it warms up
> > and hits a certain point on the temp gauge it blows cold for the rest of
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Peter Wieck
> Wyncote, PA

Thanks, tried it, but not the answer...

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dave AKA vwdoc1 - 27 Dec 2006 13:40 GMT

So your coolant level is fine huh?
Well lets look elsewhere............

1. Thermostat?
When you start driving maybe the defective thermostat is allowing ALL
coolant to flow through the radiator which cools it all down.
Try letting the vehicle sit still while testing the heat. Do you get your
heat back?
AND the temperature gauge should drop while driving it 30 mph (50kph?) or
higher esp if the thermostat is bad.

2. Bad hose or Vacuum Reservoir?
Also you might have a vacuum leak that basically causes the fresh air system
to shut off the heat, or divert the air flowing through the heater core
going to the cabin. I would check this if the temperature gauge reads in
the middle and you have no heat in the cabin.

3. Coolant Hose Restriction?
Maybe the coolant stops flowing through the heater hoses. Not sure what
your Golf heating system has.

4. Water Pump Impeller bad?

Post your findings here when you are losing heat!
What is the temp reading?
Are the heater hoses both hot?
Do all of the radiator hoses get hot or just lukewarm?
Do you have vacuum going to the heater controls?

later,
dave
(One out of many daves)

>> > When I start the car the heater works fine, but as soon as it warms
> up
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Thanks, tried it, but not the answer...

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