"1999 VW Beetle Overheat Problems"

1999 Black VW Beetle

I have had it to the shop countless times. The temperature light came on countless times flashing red. That caused the car to overheat and melt my water pump (which I had replaced 3 times by the way) I leak antifreeze constantly and always have that replaced. Oh and by the way I haven’t even had the car a YEAR. Someone who has a 99 VW Beetle please respond if you’ve had similar problems.

Answer: No 99 beetle BUT many other Vdubs. First off, find a repair shop(this one is just hosing you) Doesn’t even have to be a VW repair shop. An engine is an engine. Many repair shops will fix more than one make of car. Even dealer shops fix other cars. think about the trade ins – the mechanics got to know how to fix Ford, Chev, Dodge, Fiat, Toyota, etc.
Sounds to me, right off that there is an airlock before the waterpump(which means they are not filling the radiator correctly) This was a common problem with Rabbits – the first in the ‘water cooled VW line’. Just pouring in coolant in thru the rad cap is NOT good enough on an empty of coolant motor. Coolant must first be added thru the top rad hose(which means taking it off of the radiator and pouring down the hose into the engine until the one side of the thermostat is full. Then reconnect the hose. Then remove rad cap and fill radiator up, which will fill up the other side of thermostat. Now coolant is on both sides of thermostat so it can sense the heated liquid (not hot air – - which needs to be alot hotter in order to open the thermostat.
Then put some additional coolant in the “overflow container” Now run the car. and take it up to operating temp.

Not only on Rabbits, but on Jettas, and Golfs(you can bet the same engine is in the beetle.).

The dealer boys should know how to do it, but it is so much work……over just pouring it in the rad. Your problem, not theirs.

Like I said, find a more conscientious mechanic.