What do I need to replace, or don't I? Running cool

[stapo69]

Just recently I've noticed my car doesn't seem to be getting anywhere near as warm as it used to be.

The coolant only gets to about 75 degrees, reading from my liquid display not just the dash guage, and the same for the oil, barely reaches the 80 degree mark on the guage.

I've searched and searched and am confusing myself more and more. I'm pretty sure they both used to read around the 90 degree mark after the same amount of driving.

What advice can you give? temp sensors? Thermostat? What to replace? Don't wanna just start replacing parts willy nilly as I'm really not sure what to do.

Help!!!!!!

[am8631]

I would go for temp senders first as they are cheaper and easy to change. The thermostat is also cheap but the front bumper and cam belt has to come off i believe!

[stapo69]

Ok. Best to go for coolant and oil temperature sensors I guess.
Easy enough to get to and fit? The coolant sensor is under the accordian hose from the y-pipe right?

[Blue_Thunder]

Think you'd be unlucky if both sensors went at the same time. Does sound like the thermostat.

[stapo69]

Well I'll do the sensors 1st as they're the easy ones to get to, although I'm struggling finding the whereabouts of the oil temp sender. See how that goes, then if no joy I'll swap the thermostat when the front end's loose and I'm doing my snub mount.

[stapo69]

After a long day in the garage yesterday I've changed the thermostat and all is well again, gets up to the right temps, and a lot quicker. Bit of a time consuming job but fairly easy, glad i didn't pay someone a stupid amount of money in labour for a £10 part!

[am8631]

exactly how long did it take you? and did you need to remove the cambelt?

[stapo69]

I'd say it took us a good 7 hours, yes i removed the cam belt as I replaced the water pump at the same time, didn't use a cam-lock bar, they're gears are pretty hard to turn having the chain tensioner on the back helps i think, marked everything up and it went back on pretty easy, just a labour intensive job, could do it faster if i did it again i reckon, did have a copy of the workshop manual though which was a great help, and also this guide with photos was also very useful. Thanks to Docurley for the good write up.

http://www.audi-forums.com/b5-forum/477 ... t-diy.html

[imolas4uk]

the timing will be out if you didnt take the cam pulleys of the cams,when you tension the belt with the cams locked and the pulleys loose the cam wheels will turn and are then tightened up,by leaving them tight you have only tensioned one side of the belt,better safe than very sorry