2013 polo vivo water reservoir boiling

[SachR1]

Hi guys,

Hoping to get some help on the following.

I have a 2013 polo vivo 1.4. The entire engine was redone and I'm experiencing the following issues.

The heat Guage fluctuates after the vehicle warms up. The water reservoir is bubbling. The reservoir needs to be topped up after driving a short distance. Can't seem to find out from where air is getting into the system from.

I flushed the radiator, changed the thermostat and bled the system out thoroughly. It still does the same - temp Guage fluctuates and coolant reservoir bubbles.

I noticed the heater isn't working when switched to heat it just blows cool air even when the engine is warm.

I've checked to see if the cylinder head gasket is cracked. There's no signs of water mixing with oil.

Could there be a leak in the intake manifold gasket or something related to the heater?

I would appreciate any help!

 

[TheChamp]

Has it always been your car and developed the issues that needed the engine redone under your ownership or did you buy it from someone with these issues? Because I suspect maybe they fiddled and bypassed the heater core but whatever they did there is now leaking.

 

[Gordon_R]

Water pump failed?

 

[SachR1]

The car belongs to my mum. I'm trying to get this problem resolved for her. She's had endless issues with the mechanic and does not want to deal with them. So trying to have a crack at it myself.

Thanks for your reply I will look into this!

Any other suggestions?

 

[Dairyfarmer]

I noticed the heater isn't working when switched to heat it just blows cool air even when the engine is warm.

My first thought was the thermostat, but you said you changed it.

Because I suspect maybe they fiddled and bypassed the heater core but whatever they did there is now leaking.

Sounds like it is leaking or was leaking at the heater core.

Get the engine up to temp then park on a nice flat clean surface and you will find the leak.

 

[SachR1]

Water pump failed?

The water pump has been replaced during the engine overhaul.

 

[SachR1]

My first thought was the thermostat, but you said you changed it.

Sounds like it is leaking or was leaking at the heater core.

Get the engine up to temp then park on a nice flat clean surface and you will find the leak.

Thank you! I will try this out and get back to you.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

The water pump has been "replaced" during the engine overhaul.

I'd double check that they actually put a new part in.

 

[TheChamp]

The car belongs to my mum. I'm trying to get this problem resolved for her. She's had endless issues with the mechanic and does not want to deal with them. So trying to have a crack at it myself.

Thanks for your reply I will look into this!

Any other suggestions?

Why was the engine redone, overheating?
If yes what caused the overheating initially? You'll need answers to those questions to guess what did the mechanic do and to have a chance at fixing it, because the engine having to be redone might have been as a result of this issue to begin with and the problem is still not resolved.

Start with getting to the bottom of the heater that's not working, I think you'll get a good idea of what is happening.

 

[thehuman]

Worst case blown headgasget or cracked head.

 

[TheChamp]

Any of you guys who are into VWs, does anyone understand why VWs are still overheating in 2021? Is it just owners who are negligent in caring for the cars or is there a problem?

 

[SachR1]

Why was the engine redone, overheating?
If yes what caused the overheating initially? You'll need answers to those questions to guess what did the mechanic do and to have a chance at fixing it, because the engine having to be redone might have been as a result of this issue to begin with and the problem is still not resolved.

Start with getting to the bottom of the heater that's not working, I think you'll get a good idea of what is happening.

The engine was redone due to a blown cylinder head gasket. Water and oil mixed. The head was pressure tested during the engine overhaul and no crack was detected in the head.

 

[TheChamp]

The engine was redone due to a blown cylinder head gasket. Water and oil mixed. The head was pressure tested during the engine overhaul and no crack was detected in the head.

I see, get on with finding out what they did on the heater before it needs another engine overhaul.

 

[Lupus]

Any of you guys who are into VWs, does anyone understand why VWs are still overheating in 2021? Is it just owners who are negligent in caring for the cars or is there a problem?

Well that Vivo is based on the Polo that came out in 2005, for my 2005 Polo the head gasket was gone that caused it to overheat

 

[Gordon_R]

Don't forget to check the radiator cap. If the spring is broken, it will not maintain pressure.

 

[TheChamp]

Well that Vivo is based on the Polo that came out in 2005, for my 2005 Polo the head gasket was gone that caused it to overheat

A colleague of mine has the Polo, not sure if it's the TSI or normal Polo but it's the one that has just been made a Vivo, it also overheated and caused him endless trouble and cost him a lot of money.

I also seem to be always coming across some Polo getting its water topped at my local filling station.

 

[TheChamp]

Don't forget to check the radiator cap. If the spring is broken, it will not maintain pressure.

I think It's a sealed radiator, no cap.

 

[WesleyDB]

Could also be and issue with the resivor bottle or cap,

 

[TheChamp]

Could also be and issue with the resivor bottle or cap,

Good point, maybe start there since the cap is very cheap.

 

[SachR1]

Good point, maybe start there since the cap is very cheap.

I've tried this as well, with a new reservoir bottle.