Gm95
Registered User
Hi guys,
So, I've owned my A3 just over a year now and I'm slowly catching up on things that haven't been fixed or been neglected by previous owner. One that has alluded me though is the engine not reaching the correct running temperature..
When I first had it, it would get up to 60c and stay there regardless of what temperature it is. I first off thought start simple and changed the temp sensor. This made no difference so moved on to the next step and bought a genuine Audi Thermostat. Drained all the coolant, changed this over and filled with the best coolant I could (which was about 6 hours of swearing and hurling abuse at the car). Drove it around and it got up to 90c and stayed there, happy days! Fixed, right?!
Now, I've realised that if the outside temperature is above 10c, the engine will be slow to heat up but it will go up to normal 90c and stay there. If the outside temp is below 10c, it will take an age to get to 90c and if it's below 5c outside. It won't go past 70c.
This morning, I drove to work (which is a 20 mile drive, mostly consisting of motorway) whilst it was reading 2c outside and the car never read above 65c or so. It seems to start rising in traffic but then when moving it will stay still or go down again.
I really am out of ideas here as I can't think of what else to change?! I saw on another forum that the A3 has an inline thermostat as well if it's DSG. Mine's a manual but could it have another stat somewhere that I'm not aware of? Or something else that would control the temperature like this?
Thanks in advance for any help!! I need to get to the bottom of it before i'm shivvering in traffic on the mornings!
Car is an'05 2.0 TFSI Quattro A3
So, I've owned my A3 just over a year now and I'm slowly catching up on things that haven't been fixed or been neglected by previous owner. One that has alluded me though is the engine not reaching the correct running temperature..
When I first had it, it would get up to 60c and stay there regardless of what temperature it is. I first off thought start simple and changed the temp sensor. This made no difference so moved on to the next step and bought a genuine Audi Thermostat. Drained all the coolant, changed this over and filled with the best coolant I could (which was about 6 hours of swearing and hurling abuse at the car). Drove it around and it got up to 90c and stayed there, happy days! Fixed, right?!
Now, I've realised that if the outside temperature is above 10c, the engine will be slow to heat up but it will go up to normal 90c and stay there. If the outside temp is below 10c, it will take an age to get to 90c and if it's below 5c outside. It won't go past 70c.
This morning, I drove to work (which is a 20 mile drive, mostly consisting of motorway) whilst it was reading 2c outside and the car never read above 65c or so. It seems to start rising in traffic but then when moving it will stay still or go down again.
I really am out of ideas here as I can't think of what else to change?! I saw on another forum that the A3 has an inline thermostat as well if it's DSG. Mine's a manual but could it have another stat somewhere that I'm not aware of? Or something else that would control the temperature like this?
Thanks in advance for any help!! I need to get to the bottom of it before i'm shivvering in traffic on the mornings!
Car is an'05 2.0 TFSI Quattro A3