[Sarahlf86]

I have a 2003 New Beetle, I bought it for only 1k. So In expected some small things to be wrong with it, especially didnt think much would be bad since a mechanic owned it. Well, I have replaced both window motors and regulators, thermostat, the thermo housing. And some other stuff. The problem I am having now, the person who sold is to me said he just replaced the radiator. Well, the AC just stopped working, and my car started blinking the red overheating alert top right of the mph dash board. When i look under the hood the backup reserve/backup overflow is full, but im reading that it blinks bc the radiator needs to be filled. Does this mean its one of the hoses that are clogged? and its not pulling the liquid from the reserve? Sorry if i am not using the right lingo.. I have spent almost as ,much as i have paid for the car so far. I thought 1k for 136k miles was good for a vw.. But, I am hearing a lot of people tell me they are worthless at that amount of miles. The plastic upper interior piece cracked also when i replaced the regulator for the window, I was being gentle as ever. But, bc of the sun hitting down on it makes it brittle. But my main concern right now is, can i still drive it if it is no longer blinking and what should i start working on to keep if from over heating?

 

[Smileybug]

I wonder if there is air in the system that wasn't burped out. I would start by trying to get any air out that might be left. There were several repairs done to the cooling system and air pockets are common.

 

[Sarahlf86]

I wonder if there is air in the system that wasn't burped out. I would start by trying to get any air out that might be left. There were several repairs done to the cooling system and air pockets are common.

Is this common? I would think him being a mechanic he would know to do that huh? But, I guess i could take it to someone, I need to take it to a european car place. I mean it isnt the most beautiful thing in the world compared to newer VW's.. how much would something like burping it cost?

 

[billymade]

Some, things to check:

 

[Thejarhead]

A blinking temperature light means the coolant level sensor which is contained within the coolant ball thinks the fluid is low. If it’s at or above the MIN mark then probably the sensor is bad. I had a sensor go bad on one of mine. There are two wires down inside the ball, you can see them after you remove the cap. I used a flat head screwdriver to gently scrape them and it worked for a short time , I ended up replacing the resivor.

If you try this and it works I would order a new resivor, they are easy to replace. Two Phillips head screws will allow you to move the resivor from its current position. A pair of pliers will remove the two hose clamps from the small upper hose and the larger hose underneath the ball. A small flathead screwdriver will loosen the wire connector to the level sensor.

Before you do all that check the wire connector, that is connected to the coolant ball, make sure there are no frayed/broken wires and that the connector is fully seated and none of the little wire tabs inside are bent or broken. All these things you can do, just don’t work on a hot engine. Taking the cap off the coolant ball when the engine is hot can douse you in 200* coolant. When the engine is cold there is no such danger.

 

[Thejarhead]

Buying a car from someone’s driveway I always figure on $1000 in parts, $2000 if I’m hiring someone to install those parts. If the car needs tires add an additional $500.
As for him being a mechanic, he probably just got tired of playing with it .

As for the naysayers about vw longevity my 05 VW Golf diesel , this past Thursday reached a milestone.