I replaced a VW New Beetle waterpump that had the typical failed plastic impeller (dang German cars, hehe), and it got so hot that it melted the thermostat/water outlet housing, which was plastic too. It was melted pretty bad, to the point where it wouldn't seal anymore, and looked all deformed. That's why I think ALL cars should come from the factory with overheat engine shutdowns built into the computer circuitry. Then the motor would shut down automatically, at a marginal overheat temperature, rather than the driver realizing what is happening at the engine meltdown temperature. A device like that would save many people a LOT of money. And it could save manufacturers a lot on warranty repairs too, that are caused by overheat problems (on cars owned by people who don't ever watch their gauges).
Anyways, that VW New Beetle I fixed, wound up surviving after putting the new water outlet w/ waterpump, but I think that overheat it had, may have taken some life out of the motor for sure.
