Coolant change - VW Jetta 2001 1.8T - G12 50/50

[rename]

Hi guys,

I have had some issues with my Jetta with overheating and I added some water, until i get it replaced.

I did a bad bad thing and didnt do my research and went to CT and asked a guy what should I get for VW he pointed out something similar to this one, http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/AutoFluidsChemicals/AntifreezeCoolants/PRD~0293023P/Prestone%2BAntifreeze%252BCoolant.jsp

and now i'm getting to the 90 degrees in 5-7 KM.
its way too fast to get to that degree.

Now I did my search and checked vwvortex forums that I need G12 50/50
where can I get it? PartSource?

[dassub]

Precision Tuning.

Keele/Steeles.

Google will find it.

[ES_Revenge]

Your overheating issue is likely not caused by the coolant nor do I think you made it any worse by adding the coolant you did. Prestone "all-makes, all-models" coolant is indeed okay to add to virtually any liquid-cooled, glycol-using automobile out there.

You should do a coolant flush if it's been a long time since it was changed in this vehicle, but don't expect that to magically fix other cooling system problems on its own.

[rename]

Precision Tuning.

Keele/Steeles.

Google will find it.

Thanks, I'll check it out


Your overheating issue is likely not caused by the coolant nor do I think you made it any worse by adding the coolant you did. Prestone "all-makes, all-models" coolant is indeed okay to add to virtually any liquid-cooled, glycol-using automobile out there.

You should do a coolant flush if it's been a long time since it was changed in this vehicle, but don't expect that to magically fix other cooling system problems on its own.

I assumed it was something to do with Coolant, after reading some forums here and vwvortex
Actually, there is no leaking right now, and I'm really not sure if it has anything to do with Coolant exactly or something else(hence I'm looking for a solution here and vwvortex)

I dont know when was the last time the Coolant changed, the previous owner always took it to VW dealership, (last time was on Jan/09)

what exactly happens is,
the temp goes upto 90 degrees but it stays there, so no more overheating,
but it goes to 90 degress in 5-8 km range in-city.
So it doesnt seem normal to me.

I called a friend's mechanic, asked him, he said he needs to see it, but asked $65/hr to charge. Not sure it that normal .

[Pete_Coach]

90 degrees is less than boiling so it will not cause damage. I suspect that you have a thermostat issue as opposed to coolant. Perhaps you also have a temp sensor filing and not turning the fan on soon enough. That is why your mechanic friend says he has to see it.

[xdragus]

For $65/hour it's definitely a lot cheaper than dealership. Wouldn't the thermostat still bring it down to normal operating temperatures. If it's faulty it wouldn't open up anyways.



edit: ughh ignore below ;p missed that part in OP post.
Does temperature change after driving it a longer duration? Does the temperature needle ever flunctuate (moving up and down)

Was there any cooling mods done to the car? even if you weren't previous owner - just asking this as perhaps there's air bubbles in the coolant/hoses.

[ES_Revenge]

and now i'm getting to the 90 degrees in 5-7 KM.
its way too fast to get to that degree.
How long have you had this car for? How do you know that's "too fast" for it to get to temperature? 5-7km is plenty in summer weather, to get a car up to normal operating temperature. My car seems to get to operating temperature within around that distance (perhaps even less), even with the cooler mornings we've been having recently. Not sure how you think this is "way too fast". It's all vehicle dependent. One car may take longer to get up to temp (particularly larger engines with more cylinders) another (like a smaller 4cyl or a turbo motor) may be relatively quick. If you've had the car a while and always pay attention to how fast it warms up and now it's considerably faster, then yeah there may be a problem. But if it's a fairly new-to-you car and/or you don't normally pay attention, this warm up could be completely normal.


Hi guys,

I have had some issues with my Jetta with overheating...


what exactly happens is,
the temp goes upto 90 degrees but it stays there, so no more overheating,
but it goes to 90 degress in 5-8 km range in-city.
So it doesnt seem normal to me.
:confused:

First you say the car is overheating then you indicate it's not overheating, which is it? A car that warms to approximate stat temperature and holds that temperature, is not overheating, it's normal.

I called a friend's mechanic, asked him, he said he needs to see it, but asked $65/hr to charge. Not sure it that normal .
LOL the irony of this whole what is/isn't normal business. It sounds like the car is operating normally and you may just be spending $65 for someone to tell you that.

Bottom line? You need to figure out if the car is overheating or not. Is there a warning lamp that comes on? Is the needle on the gauge going near the maximum? What makes you think the car is overheating? I hope that you are not thinking that since the car "warms up too fast" it's overheating, lol.

[rename]

let me break it down;

I've been driving this car over 8 months, and i do check the temp, it used to take at least around 30km to reach the 90 degrees, even during the hot summer days (which we didnt have much this summer)

2-3 weeks ago, it was overheating i got the temp warning a couple times on the road, and every time i didnt drive the car, pulled over and turn the engine off, waited a bit to cool it down (turned the fan-A/C off if they were on right away)
I went to my friend's place and waited 30 min or so to see the coolant level, and it was lower then the min level. I added some water and continued my way. Then next day i got the temp warning again and I totally forgot that i needed to add some coolant(not water).

Then I went to CT and asked the guy which coolant should I use (i should have done my homework, I know!) he pointed to a regular one, not the G12

I didnt flush the current coolant and added more on top of it. The coolant level was again lower than the minimum level. (last Friday)

I marked the coolant level to see if its getting any lower, since Friday I drove over 150KM and i even checked today, the coolant level is the same as Friday.

Right now, the only problem it warms up quicker than 3 weeks ago.
It never goes over 90 degree and I dont get the Temp Warning Beep/indicator. so It is not overheating right now but warms up quickly.

- What I thought, perhaps the coolant I used is causing this issue since its not G12 50/50

[ssainani]

Right now, the only problem it warms up quicker than 3 weeks ago. It never goes over 90 degree and I dont get the Temp Warning Beep/indicator. so It is not overheating right now but warms up quickly.


so as of right now nothing is wrong at all?

if so .... flush and use g12 --- you shouldn't really mix coolant types at all

if the car is not warming up as quickly as it should it means you need a thermostat unless your fan is always on

no idea what kind of vw you have .... but on jettas and golfs from 1999-2006 many had a problem with the coolant temperature sensor - i believe it's a 7 dollar fix

[rename]

so as of right now nothing is wrong at all?

no idea what kind of vw you have ....

2001 Jetta 1.8T GLS

I think its only heating up pretty fast and thats the only issue.
I'm going to drive to Montreal on the weekend, and I want to feel comfortable before I take a long ride.

[ssainani]

2001 Jetta 1.8T GLS

I think its only heating up pretty fast and thats the only issue.
I'm going to drive to Montreal on the weekend, and I want to feel comfortable before I take a long ride.



it heats up fast .....
but does it get too hot?

i mean nothing is 'wrong' with getting to temp quick
something is wrong for going over temp tho