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97 Jetta Heating issues...


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tsummar
New User

Dec 11, 2011, 6:43 PM

Post #1 of 8 (3725 views)
97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

I have a 1997 Volkswagon Jetta. I was having issues with the heater blowing warm air when sitting, but getting colder air when moving. So I replaced the thermostat (the old one was bad as it was open when we pulled it and it was cold). Now that I have replaced the thermostat I now have no warm air blowing even when sitting and engine has heated up. Also, now the engine is overheating.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Dec 11, 2011, 7:44 PM

Post #2 of 8 (3697 views)
Re: 97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

Sounds like you either installed the thermostat upside down or have a airlock in the system. Some cars have a bleeder to help allow the air out of the system. Try removing the rad cap letting it run and get up to temp and see if pukes any air out. You may make a mess in the process make sure to dilute any spilled coolant with water so animals do not drink it.

Another way to help prevent air lock is to use a vacuum coolant tester/filler. Basically puts a vacuum on the system then draws the coolant in. May be hard to find at a loan a tool program.

here is what it looks like:



You will have to drain and re-fill the system with this tool. If you can't get your hands on that, then you can try this tool.



Basically the funnel hooks to your rad and you fill it up half way with coolant then the coolant level will be higher then the engine and the air should escape.


(This post was edited by zmame on Dec 11, 2011, 7:48 PM)


tsummar
New User

Dec 11, 2011, 7:56 PM

Post #3 of 8 (3690 views)
Re: 97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

Thanks for the suggestions. I am pretty sure the thermostat was put in right side up, as I put it in the same as the old one. As far as the airlock goes I have started it with the cap off and allowed it to run, squeezed hoses and added more fluid as needed. Have done this process about 3-4 times.

Could it be the heater core? Would that make it overheat?


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Dec 11, 2011, 8:06 PM

Post #4 of 8 (3688 views)
Re: 97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

No, heatercore wouldn't cause your car to overheat. More then likely is a air lock they can be hard to get the air out depending how the system is designed. squeezing the hoses may not help you. Try getting that funnel kit napa sells them at a decent price.

Also was the car overheating before the thermostat was changed?.. Also I have not had good luck with aftermarket thermostats I would recommend getting OEM if possible.

If the car was overheating before the replacing the thermostat I would suspect you might be into other issues. I know some of the gas VW engines are common for water pumps not sure if yours applies to that or not.


tsummar
New User

Dec 11, 2011, 9:06 PM

Post #5 of 8 (3679 views)
Re: 97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

Yeah, no overheating issues at all prior to changing the thermostat.


samg.
User
samg. profile image

Dec 11, 2011, 9:30 PM

Post #6 of 8 (3674 views)
Re: 97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

Don't know if this applies to this car, but I've had a few jettas with similar problems, I would take the t-stat back out and feel down into the hole and check the impeller on the water pump, the 2 I did had broken fins on the pump, not allowing enough flow.


tsummar
New User

Dec 12, 2011, 9:01 PM

Post #7 of 8 (3665 views)
Re: 97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

Will do, thanks for the suggestion.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 13, 2011, 4:27 AM

Post #8 of 8 (3659 views)
Re: 97 Jetta Heating issues... Sign In

I had a VW bug that the plastic water pump impeller had broken up and the pieces had lodged in the cooling jacket.



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