Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge question

[LL - NY]

If you have a meat T-mometer (I have one specifically for automotive
purposes, and it (unlike most) will read down below freezing as well) just
hold it firmly on the back side of the sensor (or alongside by the threads)
while reading out the temp with VAG-COM. The brass material of the sensor
body should transmit the temp quite well to the meat thermometer and then
you can cross check the meat thermometer to the VAG-COM readout. A few
degrees difference would be considered neglible to check the function of the
sensor.  As a side bonus, the meat thermometer can serve as a rudimentary
tread temp thermometer for us cheap trackie types. At least my t-mometer
cross checks pretty well with real tire pyrometers at the autocross track.
And the thermometer only cost $20 vs. a true pyrometer. It just doesn't
penetrate as deep, but that's not as big a deal for autocross anyway.

LL - NY

On 1/22/08, iain.atkinson at tesco.net <iain.atkinson at tesco.net> wrote:
>
> if you have vag com then i am pretty sure that gives a coolant temp
> readout
>
> iain
> ---- thejimrose <thejimrose at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Question 1:
> > > Should the thermostat keep the coolant temperature relatively
> constant?
> > > Even
> > > at low temps and highway driving?
> > >
> >
> > yup. mine  is always  rock steady  on the 1/2way mark on the gauge. from
> 110
> > in sonoma to 15 in tahoe.
> >
> > Question 2:
> > > What is the usual position of the needle when driving?
> >
> >
> > 1/2 way on the gauge.
> >
> > And what is the
> > > position of the gauge when the radiator fan kicks in?
> >
> >
> > no change on mine.
> >
> > Question 3:
> > > I think the dots for positions 1 and 7 are calibration test marks. If
> I
> > > remember correctly, the Bentley shows usage of a "Special Tool" to
> test
> > > the
> > > gauge. More than likely the tool is just a rheostat. Does anyone know
> the
> > > resistance values at the two test positions?
> > > Answer: not me.
> >
> >
> > me neither.
> >
> > Question 4:
> > > Does anyone have a simple method of measuring the coolant temperature
> with
> > > an external thermometer?
> >
> >
> > laser thermometer  hitting the engine /  radiator at various points? but
> > agreed, the temp sensor is the right place, coming out of the block.
> >
> > >
> > > Answer: You need to read temp of coolant inside the engine or
> 'read'  the
> > > temp sender.
> > >
> > > Conclusion: Get a new thermostat. Didn't we just do this one?
> >
> >
> > +1. might wanna flush the coolant, change the temp sender too while
> you're
> > in there.
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