VW Virtus Heat Failure After Bad Mechanic Repair

Had the same issue on my 2017 VW Polo TSI. The heating problem combined with check engine light pointed to a faulty heater core valve. When engine coolant cannot properly circulate through the heater core, the car heating system fails to warm up the cabin. A stuck valve in the cooling system can trigger the check engine light because it affects engine temperature regulation. Though your temperature gauge reads normal, modern cars have multiple sensors that monitor different parts of the cooling system. In my case, the heater core valve connector had corroded, causing intermittent electrical connection issues. The repair involved replacing the valve assembly and cleaning the wiring harness connection points. This was a moderate repair job that took about 3 hours at the shop. Based on your symptoms, you likely have a similar issue. The cooling system should be properly diagnosed with a scan tool to check for specific fault codes. Avoid driving long distances until fixed, as valve issues can potentially lead to more serious cooling system problems if left unaddressed. Check for TSB updates, as some VW models from that generation had documented issues with heater core valve assemblies.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am having very similar symptoms with my Virtus. The whole valve blockage and heating system failure sounds exactly like what I am experiencing. It is reassuring to hear that replacing the automotive valve assembly solved your problem. Did you remember roughly how much the repair cost in the end? Also, have you had any other engine coolant related issues since they fixed it?

Happy to confirm the water valve repair completely resolved the heating issues. The final cost was 95€ to fix the faulty cable connection at the valve assembly. Pretty straightforward job once they identified the exact problem with the cooling system. Have not experienced any engine overheating or car heating problems since the repair was done. The heater core is working perfectly now, and the check engine light has stayed off. Just make sure they properly test the electrical connections after the repair to prevent any intermittent issues from returning. The cooling system in these models is generally reliable once the valve assembly is properly fixed. Regular coolant maintenance should keep everything running smoothly going forward.

I took your advice and finally went to a different mechanic to check the heating system. You were right about the valve, they found the automotive valve had failed and was causing the heating problems. The repair cost was 120€ which included a full coolant system inspection. The mechanic showed me how the old water valve had become stuck, preventing proper coolant flow to the heater core. They also cleaned all the connection points to prevent future corrosion issues. No engine overheating or car heating problems since the fix, and the check engine light is now off. Really glad I got this sorted before winter. The cooling system is working perfectly now and the cabin heats up quickly. Should have dealt with this sooner instead of avoiding the mechanic. Thanks again for helping me identify the likely cause.