Overheating issues: 2000 VW Golf 2.0

[racingxtsy]

Please help - Overheating issues. Sorry for the long post...
vehicle: 2000 VW Golf 2.0L

I was driving on the highway when the red temp. warning light turned on and started beeping, the temp. gauge was almost all the way to the right (the hottest temp. on the temp. gauge)

I quickly pulled over and turned off the engine. There were no coolant leaks and the coolant overflow tank had enough coolant in it. After approx. 10 minutes when I turned the ignition key to check the temp. the temp. decreased to the normal mid-way point on the temp. gauge and when I started the vehicle, the radiator fan(s) turned on, so the fans are working.

I started driving again and had no problems with the temp. getting hotter...the temp gauge remained at the normal mid-way point. At my destination, before turning off the car I let it idle for about 5 minutes to see if it would overheat again - it did not overheat.

6 hours later I started the car and started driving on the highway again. After approx. 10 minutes of driving at 100 km/h the car started overheating as it did before and i had to pull over again. This time I turned on the heat (in an attempt to cool the engine temp.), and there was NO heat blowing - it was only blowing cold /cool air.

I decided to wait for the car to cool and get it home. I waited for the car to cool and drove it home, I had to stop 1 more time because the temp. gauge started increasing again... each time i saw the temp. gauge start to get hot, I immediately pulled over and turned off the engine.

So what do you think the problem is? I think it may be the thermostat. I used the search function and read through previous posts... most people who described these symptoms suggested possibly the water pump & temp sensor. I am not hearing any noises like typical water pump dying noises.

Any ideas of what the problem(s) can possibly be? Any help is greatly appreciated - thanks!!

mike

[JFryauff]

I would start off by changin out the thermostat, and coolant temp sensor...they are both relatively cheap. It could also be the water pump, the impellers on the 2.0's are plastic, and very prone to breakage. A new one can be had through ECS for about $60, and if your somewhat handy, you can do the work yourself. Another thing to check if it hapens again is the upper and lower coolant hoses, if the upper is warm, and the lower is cold it would lead me to think water pump circulation.