Overheating 2002 Passat

[twagner4287]

My 2002 Passat 2.8 v6 overheats within 20 minutes of driving in the city. I don't have heat when this happens however it will occassionally produce heat and the temperature guage will fall about 25% at the same time. Then the guage maxes out again and I lose heat.

Is this the thermostat or the water pump failing?

[passatv6AF]

Could be either one or both. How many miles you got?

[Zookie]

If your Waterpump is Broken, then you car would just Overheat Completely, Gauge will not Move. So from your description it sound like your T-Stat is Stuck Closed. I had similar problem My T-Stat was Stuck Open and my car always ran Cold.

If its a CTS Issuse you would get Irratic Temp Reading but it will not coz your car to Overheat.

Unfortunatly for you, yours is a V6 so just to change the T-Stat everythings gotta come out from the Front anways, so while you are at it, might as well Do the Complete Timing Belt Job including the Waterpump and change the T-Stat and CTS anyways