There are times when the "swear, cuss and shout index" is too high for lack of tools and at my age and disability too much for my physical condition. That's when The paid mechanic is a God send.
Brian, you commented that people have complained that you are destroying the industry. I strongly object to that view. Many of us are driving 10+ year old vehicles because we don't have the money to buy new. If we can't afford new, chances are we can't afford the cost of a mechanic either. At least, if I can do the majority of the repairs myself, I can save enough to have a pro do what I know I can't do. So thank you...
Brian, just wanted to say thanks for your videos. You've helped me put money into tools instead of paying a mechanic to do these simple repairs. I'm a bit curious why you would choose to replace one fan for $300 from the dealer when you can by a whole new fan assembly with lifetime warranty for $120? Especially when the OEM VW fans are a high failure item due to an apparent flawed design? Thanks again.
you are so right brian, and like they said knowledges is power and i don't think is about destroying the industry is like you said teaching and empowering keep up the good work amigo
I couldnt agree with you more about empowering people to know more about their vehicles...here i sit waiting for my VW I just bought today cool down after overheating...learning from your video..thank you...
Thanks Brian .. just did the pump today with a cast one ... when removing ... the plastic impeller detached and stuck inside the block ... have to change the coolant flange (again) .. and not quite sure of the fans ... what a terrible cascade of events ... head gasket might need replacing as well ... thanks for the videos ... they have been quite helpful ..
You're not destroying the industry, that's silly. I know that the only way around paying someone to "fix" my car is to learn it myself. In fact, if we do it ourselves we may do a better job because it's our investment in time and energy (and finances for parts/tools), so we know what's at stake. Kudos.
thanks for all the info, the duralast pump for that car is made out of fiberglass and a resin (wont brake down below 400 deg f) i don't know if they do it on all the pumps but they do with that one.
hi I have a 2000 2.0 v w bettle, we changed the water pump and the coolant resavoir, but my beetle still over heats. it smells of hot plastic and the coolant resavoir is always empty. this is after it has reached the engine temp. i think it could be some of the hoses or maybe the flange, need help please.
I have been turning wrenches professionally and personally for many years.. there comes a time when Time is more valuable than paying someone else do fix/ maintain your car. being educated on this just helps people to know when it is time to get something done, then determining the value of it being done..
When you have a fuse blow you lose power to that circuit. You may have multiple components on one circuit. However you have lights turning on (check brake fluid level) and a gauge acting up. I would think you have some pinched or chafed wires rather than a blown fuse. Good luck!
gotta love the power probe, i get cars like this on occasion lol i had one the other week come in needing an inspection so the first thing i asked, is there any lights on? he replies yes can you take care of that also it over heats when i use the AC and the high beams only work when i hold the switch back. he wanted to wait for it. i had to sit down lol and said you may need a sleeping bag... like always great job, hope it goes well
125 thousand miles on my 2001 VW beetle. the red thermostat light started flashing this week a couple times and turned off again. i parked it and found your videos
most people in my area are factory works making $20.00 an hour or less the local garages charges start at $120.00 dollars an hour simple math will tell why video like your is a must very cool Rob, Ontario.
@fargobrad If it's crudded up enough to need to be flushed the corrosion likely was there before the tap water got to it. I typically don't drain the block by pulling the plug, but rather force air through it to clear what I can. I use concentrate coolant and account what little is left as water added. As badly neglected as most V-dubs are that I see I don't go all ph scale on them. They just aren't built to last. Modern all makes and models coolant is great for inhibiting corrosion.
Yo Brian! Thank you for your very helpful youtube fix it yourself videos! You helped me fix my overheating 2002 beetle problem...keep up your awesome efforts... Thanks, again...
I've heard most people run a garden house with tap water to flush out the radiator and block, and have heard tap water will corrode everything. So I'm thinking the block drain would need to be removed to completely drain the block? What is your method for flushing? Thank you
I have a vid on the sensor on a red turbo jetta on my channel. I think you've got air trapped at the thermostat, or poor opening/flow. AND/OR a bad ect sensor.
So if it is leaking just replace it...got it. They are fairly cheap anyway. I am also curious about the power probe you are using. Where did you pick it up?? Would be a very handy tool to have for checking electrical plus the added bonus of being able to apply power for checking fans, lights, etc. I have looked a couple places and of course you get the deer in headlight stare!!
Its not how you pour it necesarily- it's a matter of topping it off after a drive cycle where the car warms up- thermostat opens- and fill it after it cools.
Are the hoses the same temperature roughly? Or is one super hot and one supper cold? Also have you changed the ECT sensor if it's over 80K miles? It may not be kicking the fans on- on time or the fans may be bad (sluggish).
Hey I have a 02 VW beetle GLS 2.0 I've replaced the water pump, thermostate, the flange, ECT, timing belt, and even had to replace a freeze plug behind the tensioner pulley. When I crank and let it running for 20 or 30 mins at 2k I get no overheating issues. However as soon as I get down the road it the red overheating light beeps then starts flashing no leaks. It also throws the code p0117 ECT low input. Could it be a wiring issue? What do you think? Thanks for the videos and the help
Thank you for the easy start.... I was lost at a leak on the right and why the heck my fans aren't working.... I'm sure it wont stop there but I know where to go for guidance!!!!
took thermo out and pump looks fine i even cranked the engine a bit while someone looked at it, impeller spins fine no cracks or chips, i put everything back filled with coolant i even bled every hose i could get to, started it and warmed it up the heat comes and goes,but when the light comes on theres no heat at all, im letting it cool as im writing this, im going to try to top it off again, seem like im not getting coolant to the heater core, might take it somewhere to diagnose the problem
I have a 98 vw beetle that's overheating but the fans only come on with a/c, I've changed the thermostat and thermo switch, fans do work but I'm told it's a fuse and I can't seem to find it. any ideas?
ive done that multiple times still overheats. coolant builds in the reservoir then overflows. is it possible that my brand new water pump is defective? it doesnt seem to be circulating. im going to pull out the thermostat and take a look at the impeller. should coolant come out through the small hose on top of the reservoir. not a drop is coming out of mine. i never thought a 4 cyl vw could kick my ass like this.
We have a 2001 VW Beetle with the AVH 2.0. Thankfully the bulk of the work was done on the timing belt and such. The thermostat was running "cool" with a soft fail. (The spring gets weak and opens to soon) So we replaced it. There's the little back hose that feeds into the expansion tank. People need to know it has to be able to pass coolant--that's one way it purges air out. When we did ours? Major air blockage that prevented the car from having heat. Had to massage the crap out of the radiator hoses until she 'burped' big time. We've got all kinds of heat now! Final comment. These are all aluminum engines and require VW only coolant. G13 is expensive--mix it with a gallon of distilled and you're good to go. But it's the only coolant to use, is the factory. (G13 replaced G12) There are special additives that VW coolant has that the 'Green' stuff doesn't. This is where the guys at the auto parts stores do not get it right. Spend the extra---it will save bills down the road.
Worked a 2000 Golf which would overheat. Replace water pump, thermostat and it would overheat still. After father diagnosis, It turned out to be the fan high speed wasn't working. Repaired that and no more overheating. In the event, that all of that is done check radiator for clogs.
ok, so apparently my radiator fan on the drivers side isnt working. but you said it could also be a fuse?.....i'm wondering if thats the case for me because the light to change my front brakes turns on, when in reality, the brakes are fine. The needle for the gas tells me its full when its not or vice versa. Sometimes the needle just doesnt even mark anything. so im debating now on whether i should buy the radiator fan assembly :/ what do you think?
Great Video! I am headed to a friends house tonight to look at their 2001 that is overheating. I have worked on many cars but never a VW. You told me where all the important parts are and what fails the most. This is a valuable video, an extra plus for the Ron Paul poster!!! You should post your paypal link to get paid.
what is the plastic thing on the right side of the dipstick? i have a 1999 beetle and i dont have that thing. i keep seeing it in vw's with this engine. why is mine different and what it is?
First of - no way! I get too many as it is! Most likely you've got a head gasket leak OR your computer/fan switch is coming on too late. I would do a gas test on the coolant and temp gun the motor when the fans come on.
Hi Brian I have a 2001 beetle and I replaced the thermostat and water pump but im still over heating the fans kick on I checked them by turning on the A/C and they both came on what else can I check or replace it just has a dummy light and not a gauge Thanks Rich From Hooper UT
that must be the problem because ive tried everything i also hear ticking especially at start up or around 2000 rpm. sounds like bad lifters. but it runs well for a while 20-30 minutes after that heat in the car turns cold and reservoir fills then red light comes on. it cant be this hard to put coolant in a bug. must be the head.=( shouldnt there be coolant in my oil if the heads bad? my oil is very clean. how can make sure? compression test?
@libertythug People are generally kind and awesome and will help each other out as long as they aren't pumped full of fear from the media or as long as they don't have more power than they're fit for.
kool video I have a 2002 vw jetta it's over heating I check both fans by giving 12volt power to them both fans will not run on low speed but high speed the both run .why is that there not going on at all. Thanks for videos keep up good work.
Hello, ? , I have a 1999 new beetle Volkswagen, Charged it with air conditioner coolant, It reached the 40/50 pressure, and then it flew to the end of gauge, so i disconnected it and a few minutes later it got a little cooler, let it run .. Now it over heats?? and I used super-tech premium r-134a i didn't notice but it had leak sealant and condition, Could i have clogged it up??
I have a 01 beetle it was running when we replaced the laminator . after that it would start then die so I had a new key made thinking it was the imoblizer but no it still starts and then dies. do you have any suggestions?
Quick question. I'm working on a bug and the cooling fan won't turn on. The black plastic housing that all the hoses run to has a small crack. The fan does work. Would the coolant temp sensor cause that issue?
Sad to see how badly new VWs hold up. The 1980's style water pump held up much longer. The problem with the auto repair industry is this misinformation plus fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) that is widespread. Plus $80 in California to check OBD 2 codes, flat rate time for a job that Joe Sixpack could do in half the time, and folks that think spending $9k on a new Snap-On box is better than spending $9k on a Snap-On Verus are three examples of what is destroying the industry.
Question !!! Why does my 2004 vw new beetle become sluggish only after a long drive ??? 15 miles or so, it'll hesitate and then cut out, but then I can restart it and then after a couple more miles it'll cut out again !!! Thanks
I own same vw... It was plug system and still had issues especially when my ac be on come to find out it was compressor entire reason, I changed it out and now have all my power 🔙 100%! Even better ⛽mileage, also 😉 gl
briansmobile1 I've had four VW's, 99 Passat, 02 Jetta, 06 Passat, 01 Golf, never had a that problem and have driven all of these up to 200k. Have only seen this issue on VW's where people didn't use G12 coolant and other issues not using the correct gas and oil.
IN these times with low incom and us at the brink of being sold to china as spare space, i think its a good initiativ to learn the commen welthy people how to save a SHITLOAD of money on diy..... as always ...thumbs up
