5kTQ overheating - need help

[David.Ullrich at ferguson.com]

Had the same problem with my Coupe GT (NG engine). Turns out I had air trapped in the system and it needed to be bled. Check the top of your radiator for a bleeder nut. Remove the nut, start the car and allow to idle. As the coolant expands, it will force the air out the top. When coolant begins to bubble out, put the nut back in and your done. I've been rock stable ever since.

Dave

1987.5 Audi Coupe GT "Special Build" 2.3 - Anthracite Black
1998 VW Passat GLS 1.8T - For Sale CHEAP
+

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Sears [mailto:steve.sears at soil-mat.on.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 9:21 AM
To: quattro at audifans.com
Cc: w-t_audifans at yahoogroups.com
Subject: 5kTQ overheating - need help


Hello there listers,
My '87 5kTQ has been misbehaving in the temperature department of late, and
has really got me stumped.
About a week ago the car overheated on the highway, resulting in a tow to
the local dealer's place and a $140 thermostat/flush'n'fill/car wash - ugh.
Took it on short trips and no problems - in-dash gauge reading lower than
100C (solid).  Took a trip to my mom's on Saturday, about 100 km of 120 km/h
highway driving went well, but just after coasting through a town at low
revs (ie 60 km/h in 5th), the car overheated after accelerating back to 90
km/h.  Stopped for a while and then resumed travelling after topping
reservoir up - drove the rest of the way with the heat on and windows open -
gauge stayed around 100C.
On the return trip, the temp gauge had my full attention.  The 90 km/h
driving went well, but upon reaching the 120 km/h highway driving, the gauge
soon began to oscillate with increasing amplitude - from about 98 to 100,
back to about 98....102......99......103......100........105 (BEEP!!!!
warning light - pulled over).  Fan was running and could feel bubbling in
the upper rad hose.  Waited and the topped-up and restarted drive as a
test - stayed at about 90-95 km/h in 3rd of 4th gear (revs about 3k to 4k) -
coolant temp stayed about 100C, no oscillations, no increases except on
hills (but not a dramatic change, only about 2 degrees warmer) - drove at
this speed unless in traffic jams, where the car had no problem sitting
idle.
The archives have offered:
Clogged rad?  Wrong/failed t-stat?  Busted water pump?  Blown head gasket
(yikes)?
What say the collective?
Thanks,
Steve Sears
1987 5kTQ - hurtin' (heatin'?)
1980 5k - helpin' (got me to work)
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - oblivious
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