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Thermostat is mounted where the LOWER radiator hose enters the engine. This is because VW uses the superiour "bypass cooling system" design which always flows coolant thru the engine. (instead of the high-mounted thermostat which stops the flow when engine is too cool.)
Now to address your original issue.... the coolant light flashing. This DOES NOT mean that your engine temparture is incorrect. A FLASHING light means the antifreeze LEVEL sensor is uncovered. Most often, this can be fixed by adding less than 1/2 cup of DISTILLED water to resavouir. (If you need to add more fluid than than that, use G12 antifreeze)
BTW, The electrical plug on the side of the resivour is the connector to the level-sensor. The level-sensor is simply 2 prongs which stick down into the antifreeze. If the level gets too low, the prongs are uncovered and the computer senses no electrical flow. (Antifreeze conducts electricity)
Any inf/suggestions Thanks :confuse:
Also, make CERTAIN you are running the specified 5W30 oil and that your oilFilter is the proper one for your car.
First, whenever I start the engine (even if I drove it less than an hour ago) the blue temperature gauge comes on (it doesn't flash). I don't know if this is something that is normal and is supposed to happen everytime you start it, or what.
Second, the gasoline gauge is broken. I have a mechanic friend who said it could just be a loose wire, but if it's not is this a problem that would cost a lot to fix?
Third, the car made a weird sound when I started it (think along the lines of whining) and I took it to that mechanic friend, and he said he thought I needed to replace the serpentine belt. He said the belt itself isn't expensive but he didn't know about labor on a VW. If you'd had this replaced on your bug could you tell me the cost?
Like I said, I absolutely adore my car (I've wanted one since I was eight), but these things make me a little bit nervous.
Thanks for your help (:
:confuse:
The blue indicator is NORMAL. There is no temparture GUAGE in the NB to tell you when the engine is still not warmed up. Thus, the light is blue to indicate that the engine is still not up to temparture. We all know that an engine should be driven gently whilst it is warming up and the blue indicator gives you that information.
The fuel gauge really needs to be troublesot to isolate the problem. I beleive VWs have an "access port" under the rear seat so the fuel-sender is accessable without removing the fuel tank. HOWEVER, at this point you do not have enough details to determine what the problem is.
Replacing the serp. belt takes about 45 seconds and the only trouble is that the NB does not have much room to work under the hood.
An important thing to remember... do NOT leave the heated mirrors in the "ON" position any longer than needed lest they will burn out. (Some people leave the mirror-knob in the center position which is the "ON" postition for the heaters)
What's the mileage on your '99 Beetle? Somewhere between 60-80k miles (and sometimes people have even had problems before that) the following (at least) need to be replaced:
1) water pump ( these actually come with a plastic impeller...need to be replaced with a metal one when the job is done. These are available with 3rd party companies such as http://www.koperformance.com/volkswagen/index.htm or eBay, etc.
2) timing belt (if this breaks on you, you are looking at possibly thousands of $ in repairs...
3) tensioner
4) miscellaneous other small parts:
Timing Belt Idler Pulley
Coolant G12 (only kind that will work with a Beetle)
Distilled Water
Accessory belt (optional )
Thermostat (optional)
New engine mount bolts
If any of the above fail, they all need to be replaced while you're already there.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3998685 shows photos of all this...this guy said it took him 10 hours.
If all of this is done in a repair facility, the cost is somewhere in the range of $600-$900...$900 being the VW Dealership. As I said earlier, the price of not doing it runs as high as $4,000. Not good.
Kenny
Has anyone had this happen before and what if any remedy did you find? The car drives fine and it doesn't appear to have a transmission or shifting problem. The car is still under warranty but I'm just curious as to what might be causing the problem.
www.DASBeetle.blogspot.com
I have a 2001 New Beetle with about 70,000 miles on it, the temperature light started flashing. I checked the coolant levels and everything seemed fine, however, come to find out the water pump needed to be replaced, I suggest getting it done as quickly as possible, eventually the water pump will fail and you will be sitting on the side of the freeway waiting for a tow truck.
The service station I took my VW to showed me the waterpump, and the inside was completely melted from all the heat, the water pump actually isn't very expensive, it's the labor that's going to kill you. Expect to spend about $500-700 to have it replaced.
After doing some research, VW actually recommends that the water pump be replaced at 70,000 because they are known to go bad quickly. Get it done!
NOT replacing waterpump when TB is replaced is just asking for trouble.... the cost is not in the parts... it is in the labor to get in there.
Also, When replacing the waterpump in VW, It is recommended to spend a few more dollars and get the one with METAL IMPELLER. The factory waterpump with plastic impeller is KNOWN to come apart after awhile.
$700 is not an unreasonable price for replacing all that stuff (Timing Belt, Waterpump, tensioners, pullies, oil-seals and all the other things that go along with the job)
BTW: A "recall" is only for safety-related items.... othewise it would be a TSB (Technical Service Bulliten)
I previously owned a 2002 beetle GL. It was the lime green color and I loved it. Sold that a few months ago because I had to move.
I found two beetles that I want to purchase but after reading, I am comparing my options. I want to make sure this car lasts me and I don't have to sink a lot of money into it.
Option 1. 2009 Beetle S Coupe in Heaven Blue Metallic. 14000 miles on it. One owner with carfax. Loaded, manual transmission. It comes with a preowned warranty on it also until 2014. *Asking 15879*
Option 2. 2006 Beetle Convertible in Yellow. Excellent Condition, 16000 miles on it. One owner with carfax. Automatic trans. It comes with the preowned until Jan 2011. *Asking 15500*
Honestly, I want the convertible. However, I am afraid of the problems that might come with them. Please beetle owners help me make the right decision. Thanks for your time.
Nevermind--I jsut realized this was posted 4 years ago--what did the rattle turn out to be? By the way..
I tell ya!
Get the convertible. We have owned ours for just about two years and it is loads of fun!
Bel Air Car Guy
If so, this is often the "immoblizer" kicking in. Try all 3 of the keys and see if this happens with all of them.
If this *does* happen with all 3 keys, then consider changing the fuel-filter and pay close attention to the O-rings below the mickey-mouse clip. The 2 O-rings are *DIFFERENT* sizes and need to be installed approprately so the fuel-pump does not suck air into the system.
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