Mark 2 Golf 1.4 heater problem

I would guess that your system is low on coolant such that you are getting a void when the engine is warm... which would manifest as nothing through your heater.

Starting from cold, you may need to add coolant just as the system warms up and the thermostat opens. You will see a flow through your overflow tank, keep adding until the "Max" line is reached at full flow, then a bit more. With the heater FULL ON, of course so as to maximize flow through it. Allow to cool and then remove whatever "too much" is in place. NOTE: You are doing this entire process with the coolant cap off, so wear gloves, eye-protection and mind your spillage. Ethylene Glycol is deadly to small animals and pets, and its sweet smell often attracts dogs (and cats) to lick it. Better you should use any of several non-toxic (propylene glycol based) materials available these days.

Unless you have an 'automatic climate control' type system which would need a more formal diagnosis. But try the above first.

Peter Wieck Wyncote, PA

spillage.

Thanks, tried it, but not the answer...

So your coolant level is fine huh? Well lets look elsewhere............

1. Thermostat? When you start driving maybe the defective thermostat is allowing ALL coolant to flow through the radiator which cools it all down. Try letting the vehicle sit still while testing the heat. Do you get your heat back? AND the temperature gauge should drop while driving it 30 mph (50kph?) or higher esp if the thermostat is bad.

1. Bad hose or Vacuum Reservoir? Also you might have a vacuum leak that basically causes the fresh air system to shut off the heat, or divert the air flowing through the heater core going to the cabin. I would check this if the temperature gauge reads in the middle and you have no heat in the cabin.

2. Coolant Hose Restriction? Maybe the coolant stops flowing through the heater hoses. Not sure what your Golf heating system has.

1. Water Pump Impeller bad?

Post your findings here when you are losing heat! What is the temp reading? Are the heater hoses both hot? Do all of the radiator hoses get hot or just lukewarm? Do you have vacuum going to the heater controls?

later, dave (One out of many daves)