VW Coolant Help.

[ZiMMie]

I know this is a Bimmer forum :D But am postin it here cause u guys rock *th-up*. my buddie was drivin his jetta today and his temprature light came on. after a few more KM of driving this below bypass valve Opened and coolant starting leaking from it.
He said the temp. light came on yesterday too but nothin happened.
Am think there is somehow a block in his heater core that caused that valve to openin. anyone have any more ideas? am also thinking his thermostat its toasted.
Jst wanna know if anyone know wat could be wrong with this thing before i start ordering parts. am not good with VW.
Thanx for reading :D
*Edit* its a MK2 Jetta 1990 8V 1.8L.

[ZiMMie]

damn i guess i should tell him to dump that vw and get a e30 :)

[cramer]

that's not a valve, his heater core blew. The shot of the fire wall you posted is where the coolant drains from the heater box after the core leaks. If it's not hooked up, you get coolant all over your feet. Cheap fix is to grab some connectors, hoses clamps and a short piece of hose and connect the 2 heater core lines in the engine bay together. The not so cheap fix is replacing the heater core (parts and coolant are just under $100) This envolves pulling the dash. Good thing is the A2 Jetta/golf is pretty easy to pull, my corrado was a bit more complicated. Plan a long day to get the job done.

[ZiMMie]

thanx yea i figured it out after a while. i bypass it and now the car overheats. am gonna be doin water pump/thermostat on it.
thanx again