[VR6^2]

2011 Touareg 3.6 VR6 (US):

Hi all, I’m having intermittent overheating issues with my Touareg. After I bought the car, it would start overheating on the highway after about 15 minutes of driving. I would then pull over and idle for a minute or so, causing the temperature to go back to 200°. This would happen once per drive cycle.

This led to me replacing the water pump, thermostat, and vacuum solenoid valve (for the water pump). I replaced coolant using a pressurizer so there should be no air pockets in the system. Now when I drive it uphill it will start overheating slightly and go up to 210° and even 220°. Once I am over the hill it will go back to 200°. I’m also noticing that the hose coming off the thermostat is cool which implies the thermostat isn’t opening.

What could be causing it to overheat?

 

[Odessa]

thermostat not opening ... was what i originally was going to say but noticed the end of the article ..... i wonder water pump issues ? Bearing ???? impeller not working as should be ??? Over all is the water pump working as expected ?

Would be interesting the VCDS and monitor over cold to operating and beyond to map graph operation ...

 

[New2Tregs]

To me it sounds like there is still an air pocket in the system which when on an incline reaches the coolant temp. sensor causing the temp. to read higher, because the air pocket actually is hotter than the coolant itself.

 

[TurboABA]

I'm with him...... air pocket