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Coolant issue with 1986 Golf Diesel

After driving about 100 miles, I stopped in town for dinner. When I drove home I turned on the heat and it never warmed up. Thinking it might be the coolant, the red indicator light never came on. The temperature needle was to the right. When I arrived home, it appeared steam was coming out of the hood. A fine mist of water/coolant was all over the engine. I inspected the hose and found no leak. I looked at bottom of the engine, on the right side. I found opening in the engine. It looks like a light green plastic filler hole. The shape looks like it accepts a bolt of some kind. Bottom of the engine right side if your standing in front of the car. What is that hole? Should a cap be placed there? I didn't check the fluid level in the resevior, I will in the morning.

What is that Green plug/hole thing?

Why am I not getting heat?

Thanks

Reply to
86GolfDiesel
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I checked, no coolant, bone dry.

Reply to
86GolfDiesel

My guess. Coolant pump failure. Hole is a relief valve orifice when the pump fails. Coolant exits there. Probably green coolant. Dave

Reply to
Dave

I think you are talking about the little cap over the transmission bell housing. NO that does not hold any coolant but does allow visual access to marks on the flywheel for timing your engine.

Look for any hoses that are leaking! All it takes is a little pin hole and the coolant will spray out. If the hole is on the top side then the mist will spray up, so with a little common sense and detective work you will find it! ;-)

Reply to
dave AKA vwdoc1

cap over the transmission bell, the cap should be replaced? correct.

Reply to
86GolfDiesel

Water Pump?

Reply to
86GolfDiesel

Coolant is to be filled at the resivor? or disconnect main hoses then fill?

Reply to
86GolfDiesel

Water pump is on the right side of the engine underneath the timing belt. Somwhere about the alternator. You have to remove timing belt to see it probably. Not for sure though but it has been in that area since they first started making water cooled 4 cylinder engines.

Sides of cars are always referenced when you sit in the drivers seat facing forward. Left side in an North American car is the side the driver sits in. Same way with a horse, a donkey, a burro, a rhino, a bicycle, a motorcycle or anything else you might ride. Now if you choose to fly or sail something your have to deal with port and starboard. Remember port wine is red.

That plug in the transmission bell housing is nothing to worry about. You can get a new one if you want but many old cars are missing their plug.

Reply to
Jim Behning

Reply to
none2u

Thanks Dave. I ordered a new set of heater hoses etc. I found several cracks. Looks like the water line were 1986 vintage. This fourm has saved me some $ and helps my brain.

Reply to
86GolfDiesel

Fill the radiator through the upper radiator hose and reattach. Fill the rest of the system through the expansion bottle while squeezing the upper radiator hose. Keep adding slowly and let the air come out as you squeeze that hose. This works well on level ground but might work better if the left side of the car is higher than the right. Start engine, check to make sure that the hoses don't instantly start swelling up, and run it until the radiator fan comes on a couple of times. Always check that temperature gauge. Top up coolant when the engine cools down. ;-)

Reply to
dave AKA vwdoc1

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