QuestionQUESTION: I have a 1999 Jetta, 106,000 miles ...it suddenly began to smoke badly, I took it to the shop, they replaced the coolant temp sensor, coolant flush, radiator flush, valve cover gasket and water pump, I picked it up ran fine for a day, it began to smoke again...cost a pretty penny..in addition when I picked up the car the odometer and speedometer weren't working, they were functioning properly when I brought it in (they told me to bring it in on Monday so they could fix that)it has been a hassle....it smokes when idling, temp gauge drops all the way down...I am pretty sure I am trading it in, but I at least want it working properly for a month or two until I decide what kind of car I want to purchase...in addition, since I have paid for the "repairs" they should either fix it properly or give me my money back so I can take it elsewhere..your suggestions, as far as what the problem is will be appreciated
ANSWER: Tell me, Patricia, what color is the smoke? Is it light grey, or white? Is it dark grey, or black? Also, is this an early production "A3" platform car, or is it a late production "A4" platform car, and what kind of engine do you have? Thank you for your patience, I will help as much as I can.
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QUESTION: Well, I have no idea if it's an A3 or an A4....it's a four cylinder....that's the extent of what I know...hope this helps some..I am illiterate when it comes to cars
AnswerOK, it's a 4 cylinder engine, so I will go ahead and presume that it's a 2.0L, and since there was fairly extensive cooling system work done, and it sounds like the cooling system still has some issues. The coolant temp. sensor is responsible for telling the computer, and the driver what the temperature is. Since the gauge goes to cold, after the car is, or should be warm tells me that the coolant temp. sensor that's in the car now is bad too. Not the first time someone got a part right off the shelf that didn't work. Since there is still smoke...light grey, or white I am assuming, there is a part that's called the "coolant flange." It's on the opposite end of the engine from the water pump, thermostat, and main radiator hose(on top of the engine). Once the water pump, and thermostat were changed, and provided they were done correctly, the stress...ie., expansion, and increase in pressure will cause anything else within that system to fail. The coolant flange was probably marginal when the other work was undertaken, and showed no visible signs of failure. However, when the other parts were added, and the system re-filled with fresh coolant the next weakest part failed. I would ask your local mechanic/technician to check the coolant flange, and re-fill the system with coolant, and replace the engine temp. sensor. The coolant flange is where the coolant temp. sensor is located, so it might still be OK. I was just thinking that if the coolant escapes from the flange, it can't, or won't, or doesn't contact the temp. sensor, and bathe it in hot engine coolant, so after thinking it over, it just may be the coolant flange alone that is causing you this problem. Please let me know if this is indeed the case. Good luck with your repairs, and your search for a new(er) vehicle.
