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1985 VW Golf Radiator/Overheating Issue
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evilspiral
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Joined: March 29, 2012
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Location: Washington State
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 1:47 pm    Post subject: 1985 VW Golf Radiator/Overheating Issue Reply with quote

Hello all,
I've been having a helluva time finding the information I need.
I have a 1985 VW Golf 1.8L 4cyl 8valve beauty named Alice.
About a year ago she started to almost overheat and would die before getting to hot. We had many issues since I bought her a year before, oil lights flashing, temp light flashing while sitting in middle of the gauge, and buzzer every once in a while.

I've replaced these items so far:

Water Pump
Thermostat
Radiator Fan Relay
Radiator Fan
Low Oil Pressure Sensor (white)
High Oil Pressure Sensor (Blue)
Radiator Temperature Sensor


Parts I Am going to get today:

Coolant Temp Sensor (CIS)
Thermo-Time Switch
Oxygen Sensor thermo Switch (lambda CIS?)


I managed to fix my lights and buzzer issues, except that the Temp light flashes until the gauge needle reaches the light and then it shuts off... Don't know what thats about.
The radiator fan still doesn't switch on and the car starts to overheat and starts to make a loud ticking/clacking/knocking sound (Still think I have a valve lashing issue, cam lobes look worn at the tip.)
None of my fuses were blown either, unless there is an in-line fuse I cant find.

I'm hoping Those 3 sensor/senders will fix the problem, If I can even find them, but I'm not quite sure.

Anyone out there with expert knowledge might be able to lend some wisdom so I dont keep throwing money at the Ghost in My Machine....
_________________
1977 VW Transporter 4cyl. 2.0L Fuel Injected Love Machine

**Bout To Undergo A NEW Full Engine Rebuild**

1962 VW Baja Bug 1641cc

**Needs the motor put in and brakes redone**

1985 VW Golf

** Currently working out overheating issues **
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ps2375
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

At this age, the radiator would be one of the first things to replace. The rest are frosting on the cake.
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evilspiral
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My largest concern is that my radiator fan isn't turning on
_________________
1977 VW Transporter 4cyl. 2.0L Fuel Injected Love Machine

**Bout To Undergo A NEW Full Engine Rebuild**

1962 VW Baja Bug 1641cc

**Needs the motor put in and brakes redone**

1985 VW Golf

** Currently working out overheating issues **
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ps2375
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Joined: April 24, 2014
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Location: Meridian,ID
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the end tanks on those rads are plastic, they have dividers in them to direct the water, and if those are rotted away, broken or otherwise not directing the water correctly, the switch won't see the hot water and won't turn turn on the fan.

I don't know how you are trying to troubleshoot this issue, but it really isn't that hard. Jumper the switch, if the fan turns on, replace the switch. If the fan doesn't, replace the motor. If the switch isn't getting hot enough, look at the rad.
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evilspiral
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Its listed as one of the items i replaced, that sensor/switch and the relay. I jumpered the relay contacts to see if the fan was still good and it was, thats why I havent replaced the fan, also the radiator is new.

Sorry i should have put more into the post but the amount of mods and rebuilds on the car is intense. I bought her off a guy who rebuilt a lot of the car to try and make it a rally car but he gave up at about 94% through the build.
_________________
1977 VW Transporter 4cyl. 2.0L Fuel Injected Love Machine

**Bout To Undergo A NEW Full Engine Rebuild**

1962 VW Baja Bug 1641cc

**Needs the motor put in and brakes redone**

1985 VW Golf

** Currently working out overheating issues **
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ps2375
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Location: Meridian,ID
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just what you need is somebodies "rally car project" with an old radiator. def would've overheated before the start line at it's first stage....
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evilspiral
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Joined: March 29, 2012
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Location: Washington State
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tell me about it, shes a good car though. Radiator is new and all metal so that cant be it.
_________________
1977 VW Transporter 4cyl. 2.0L Fuel Injected Love Machine

**Bout To Undergo A NEW Full Engine Rebuild**

1962 VW Baja Bug 1641cc

**Needs the motor put in and brakes redone**

1985 VW Golf

** Currently working out overheating issues **
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TDCTDI
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Joined: August 31, 2013
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Location: North Carolina
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is your Golf a US built or German built car? German built cars have a fan relay attached to the fan shroud near the battery & there is a connector under that that can corrode & cause issues, go through the steps ps2375 suggested.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.
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DoubleDee
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Replace the expansion tank cap!! My 91 jetta started to over heat, everything else was working fine, I thought it was the head gasket pressurizing the coolant system.. turns out the cap ($20) no mater how tight it was on, it was not letting the system pressurize and the car would over heat....replaced cap problem solved.
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