Bad Thermostat?

[ricematthews]

Ti:
Thanks for the response.
I do think the car reaches normal operating temps as the oil temp gets up to
between 200 & 225 F, but I do suspect a problem with the thermostat
regardless.
If this is the result of a defective part that they installed, I suppose I
can't exactly blame the dealer, although this is the 4th time I will have to
go back to them since I originally had it in for service.  The other 3 times
was for stuff they did screw up - including the inexcusable cross threading
of a wheel lug bolt.
-Mark


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ti Kan" <ti at amb.org>
To: "ricematthews" <ricematthews at msn.com>
Cc: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: Bad Thermostat?


> ricematthews writes:
> > The car is a '98 A4 Avant Q 30v 2.8, purchased by me in November 2001.
> > Usually when I drive the car, the water temp gauge settles quickly at
the
> > mid point and stays there (even in the winter).
> > Lately, there have been a few occasions when I have noticed that the
temp
> > gauge doesn't get that far - by a long shot - in 85-95 degree weather.
> > On one particular occasion, I had a brief drive on the highway (5-10
miles @
> > 60-70 mph) and afterwards it was pinned at the "cold" position.
> > On another occasion, I drove over back roads (not stop & go, but not
highway
> > @ 35-45 mph) and it seemed to have difficulty making it to 1/4 of the
way
> > between cold & hot.
> > The car has recently had the thermostat replaced.
> > Is this normal for these cars, or is it likely that I have a bad
thermostat
> > (i.e. sticking open)?
>
> Not it's not normal.  Chances are you have a bad thermostat.  Get it
> replaced ASAP because your engine is not reaching normal operating
> temps and that accelerates wear.
>
> -Ti
> 2003 A4 1.8T multitronic (soon)
> 2001 S4 2.7T
> 1984 5000S turbo
> 1980 4000 2.0
> --
>     ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
>    ///   AMB Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
>   ///    ti at amb.org
>  //////  http://www.amb.org/ti/
> ///
>
>