92 jetta 1.6 na overheating

[air-cooled or diesel]

you need vw coolant, correct one

[nissannx]

Is the restrictor necessary? Can I just cut it out?

[TylerDurden]

System will still work without the restrictor, it is really to bleed air. But when it plugs, air won't purge and the system can overheat.

When the restrictor is removed, slightly more coolant is diverted away from the radiator to the tank. No biggie.

You can use any coolant in a 1.6.

[nissannx]

I just tackled this over heating problem. My restrictor was completely plugged. Had to drill it out. Also added straight water and rad flush and took it for a test drive. Engine was running at 195 and 200 if I stomped on it. Never over heated and the whole rad is warm again. Going to test the old thermostat tonight. Just waiting for the car to cool down to fill with proper coolant

[air-cooled or diesel]

You can use any coolant in a 1.6.

i dont happen to agree; that doesnt mean it will be a problem; vw coolant runs $28 or so.

[air-cooled or diesel]

Also added straight water and rad flush and took it for a test drive.

i run straight water thru 2X after flush, (fully warming up both times). after a flush you now are safe to use red vw coolant(if you already havent used).

[TylerDurden]

I just tackled this over heating problem. My restrictor was completely plugged. Had to drill it out. Also added straight water and rad flush and took it for a test drive. Engine was running at 195 and 200 if I stomped on it. Never over heated and the whole rad is warm again.

So, a t-stat change and restrictor fix. Not too painful.

(WP change can be a project.)

Refill with coolant of choice, but don't mix the spendy stuff with cheap. Bad mojo.

[nissannx]

Water pump still looks good. Has gold thick fins. Took it out for another test drive and so far so good.

Real test will be Monday.

[air-cooled or diesel]

Refill with coolant of choice, but don't mix the spendy stuff with cheap. Bad mojo.

dont use the cheap-o .

so after clearing you dont have much residue in the flush/mix?
replacing wp means timing work

[nissannx]

The old thermostat tested fine so it looks like it was the restrictor. When I flushed the system a lot of scale came out

[air-cooled or diesel]

perhaps flush again; you can drive it like 50 miles max and of course drop (water) when warm
just dont drive so far away if something does happen

[nissannx]

I have already added coolant. I will find more out Monday when I drive it to work

[Gizmoman]

The old thermostat tested fine so it looks like it was the restrictor. When I flushed the system a lot of scale came out

Sounds like you have it solved. One thing that wasn't mentioned - you may want to either have the radiator rebuilt or replaced. Don't know how old your vehicle is but over time they fill up with crud and loose efficiency. The "lot of scale" is a clue to a plugged radiator.

[nissannx]

I'm planning on swapping the 1.6td this summer. I'll make sure it gets a new rad at that time

[fatmobile]

It wasn't moving then in 5 minutes just started coming out the reservoir.

That didn't answer my question.
Could still be just a clogged line.