93 polo 1L. AAU Engine Code. 45,000 miles. Greater runaround for wife normally.

Scenario:

Start cold engine.

All dash lights normal.

After 3-4 mins: Coolant light starts to flash

After another 1-2 mins: Engine Oil light comes on and Coolant light stays on constantly.

Temperature gauge has not moved throughout.

Top radiator hose just starting to warm up but bottom hose completely cold.

Spark plugs look normal grey/brown.

Water pump changed when I replaced timing belt 2 years and 8,000 miles ago.

Would this suggest the need to replace the blue temp sensor on the thermostat housing to see if the old one is giving false errors? I see from the FAQ that they are a MK3 Polo weakness.

I was going to replace the thermostat but surely it would not have become operational in such a short time?

Any suggestions welcome.

Many thanks

As with all oil pressure warning light problems, it pays to check the actual pressure with a gauge, just in case the pressure is in fact low, better safe than sorry and all that.

As you are getting two faults there, it might pay to check instrument panel connections.

The top hose will get (or should get) very hot before the bottom one does, it is when the bottom hose starts ti get very hot also tha it is telling you that the thermostat has just opened.

Regards.