My coupe's engine is a tad bit hot

[Per Lindgren]

I do not think the thermostat is the problem, I had the exact same temp
range with both the old and new thermostats. The radiator is very clean
for a 1986 manufactured car, but as Tony Lum told me, he had the same
problem with his 4kq, and a new radiator fixed it.

My concerns are that the club (VW-Audi Club Norwegen) has a track event
on 18-19th may, and I know from earlier experience that the engine tends
to get a little bit hotter than usual. I can, if necessary, hotwire the
fan with a jumper able so the fan will run constantly. Not the best
solution for the problem, but will at least let the car live through the
day. Any comments from the list?

PerL



TEX TERRY, II wrote:

>From: Per Lindgren
>(snip)
>The radiator have a slight leak, but not much; it only gets moist on top
>when the engine is hot.
>(snip)
>My thoughts were that if the temp sender is replaced, the fan
>will run much more frequently than today, and not necessarily fix the
>problem.
>(snip)
>
>With the fan running more frequently, the coolant heat range is being
>lowered (which is a good thing).  Have you checked the thermostat to see if
>it is possibly failing in a partially closed postion.  This would be
>slowing down the rate of the coolant transfer between the engine and the
>cooler (radiator).  Test the thermostat by placing it in a pan of water,
>along with a known good thermometer, and watch the temperature of the start
>of the opening of the thermostat and the temperature of the fully opened
>position.  This information will help you compare the gauge readings on the
>dash from the temp senDOR.  Using this information will also help you
>correctly correlate the temp senSOR ranges for the fan.  Should you have to
>purchase a new thermostat, I recommend that you test the new unit (in the
>same manner as mentioned above) to verify that you did not receive a faulty
>unit from the supplier.  Make sure that you have completely filled the
>cooler and that all air is bled out of the system after changing the
>thermostat.  Turn on the heater, fans on high, temp on hot, and let the
>coolant completely flow through the heater core, engine block, and cooler
>core when doing a refill.  Make sure that there is no debris blocking the
>air flow across the cooler fins, especially around the bottom and sides.
>
>Tex Terry, II
>83 5kt sedan (non-quattro)
>Franklin, PA  USA
>
>
>