faulty (?) A4 thermostat

[Dan Masi]

> I don't think it's running cold.

My experience with my '96 A4 says that it is, indeed, running
cold.  My '96, and everyone else's who I've talked to, runs
exactly at the midpoint on the coolant temp gauge, consistantly.

My thermostat failed a few months ago, prior to my selling the
car.  It stuck wide open, and the car would take forever to 
warm up and would run one or two notches below centerline on
the temp gauge.

I didn't have it replaced; rather, I told the purchaser about
the problem.  My understanding is that it's not a fun job;
apparently, most people remove the whole nose of the car to
get to it, and replace the timing belt, water pump and idler
at the same time.

Dan Masi




> That's about where my temp gage runs on my '93 12valve V6.
> In the summer with the A/C on, or sitting in rush hour traffic, mine
> gets to the midway point, no higher.
> 
> > Raffi Tomassian wrote:
> > 
> > Hi all,
> > 
> > After parting with my tried and true 4KCSQ I now own a 96 A4 FWD.  I
> > haven't
> > been able to locate a repair manual yet and so will appreciate some
> > insight
> > on where the thermostat of my Karl (the A4) is.  The car has been
> > running
> > cold for a while now.  The needle of the temp gauge is one 
> and a half
> > notches below center where it had stuck permanently since I bought
> > it.  I
> > don't want to continue ruining the engine.  It surely beats running
> > hot but
> > still...
> > 
> > I believe the thermostat is to blame for I did a couple of simple
> > tests which, in my mind, pointed in that direction.  The 
> car does warm
> > up to spec on idle although it takes a long time.  Even though the
> > temp outside is right around 30 it should not take 10 
> minutes, should
> > it?  Then after it is warm (needle of gauge right in the middle) it
> > takes a couple of minutes of driving for it to drop dramatically and
> > stay one and a half (one big, one small) notches below normal.
> > 
> > Are there any pitfalls to changing the thermostat, or is it a fairly
> > straightforward procedure?  Where is the thing located? I would
> > appreciate also a suggestion on a good mailorder place to get the
> > part.  The Parts Connection doesn't seem to have
> > them.
> > 
> > TIA.
> > 
> > Raffi Tomassian
> 
> -- 
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