[OldnSlo]

New-to-me car, but recently did the overheating thing....and was difficult to diagnose. Lots of great posts here on diagnosing, but I'll just add that you can easily check the impeller for looseness by accessing it through the drain plug near the thermostat. Just insert a thin hex key, or screwdriver and you'll know pretty quick when you try and move the impeller (engine stopped naturally). No need to drop the thermostat and access from the back side of the pump.

 

[scotts13]

If it's the original pump at 120K, it doesn't owe you anything - and in fact that's one of the softer failures you could have had.

 

[2kpassat1.8t]

At least on ATW it's not a timing belt job.

 

[scotts13]

(Sniff!) I miss my ATW...