[s-cars] Multi Function Temp Sensor or Thermostat?

[Rich Beebe]

well, since my oil temp gauge never seems to move at all, i'd
say a new t-stat is in order. i'm glad this post came up, as i
was never comfortable with the idea that the gauge should read
(normally) where it was. thanks very much for the insight.

rich

> From: Brian Powell <powellb at gmail.com>
> Reply-To: Brian Powell <powellb at gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 20:59:08 -0700
> To: Rich Beebe <rich at beebecomm.com>
> Cc: manuelsanchez at starpower.net, s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Multi Function Temp Sensor or Thermostat?
> 
> Well, the first mark is 60C, then, the next labelled mark is straight
> up at 130C I think (I am going from memory). In between is an unmarked
> tick which is normal operating temp, 100C. You should be at or above
> that mark after a few minutes of driving. Under hard driving in 100+F
> ambient, it can get up towards vertical (though, I've personally never
> seen one get vertical).
> 
> If you oil temps are not getting much above 60C, that is not a good
> thing. It sounds like your thermostat is stuck open. It is cheap and
> easy to fix. You'll need a new thermostat(should come with a seal) and
> some coolant. I find it easier to remove the intake boot, then, use
> some "wobbly" extensions with a 10mm socket to remove the two screws
> in the thermostat housing. Pull it back--coolant will pour out
> everywhere (you could drain the radiator first if you like). Get
> something to pry out the old thermostat (they stick in there nicely).
> Put the new thermostat in the same orientation as the old one (brass
> strip should be vertical), put the thermostat housing back on (IIRC,
> 12 ft-lbs torque--anyone?) and refill the coolant. I like to make sure
> the coolant is properly filled, so, I remove the bleeder valve from
> behind the firewall (under the plastic cover) and fill the expansion
> tank. It will slowly cylce into the whole system with gravity (it
> takes about 10-20 minutes) and once it starts coming out of the
> bleeder valve, close up the valve, top off the expansion tank to the
> mark, and you are done.
> 
> 
> On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 22:40:16 -0500, Rich Beebe <rich at beebecomm.com> wrote:
>> brian et al,
>> 
>> i noticed my water temps staying very low today (around the 2nd thin
>> mark), until i stopped at a red light (about 8 miles from the house),
>> at which point it rose to roughly to the first thick mark, iirc. what
>> you mentioned below about oil temps is what has me thinking, though.
>> my oil temp gauge never moves from the far left of the gauge. i
>> noticed this upon buying the car and was told that they all read
>> low and it's normal. 2 questions - where 'should' my oil gauge 'read'
>> and could i have a similar thermostat problem? tia.
>> 
>> rich <-- feeling bad for asking so many questions, but i'm new to audis.
>> 
>> From: Brian Powell <powellb at gmail.com>
>> 
>>> The easiest way to check is to see what your oil temps are doing. If
>>> the thermostat is stuck open, it will be hard for the oil to get to
>>> operating temp. If your oil is at or past the thick mark and the
>>> coolant temp reads quite low, then it is the MFTS. If the oil temp
>>> isn't getting up to operating temp, then it is definitely your
>>> thermostat.
>>> 
>>> The thermostat is pretty easy to do on this car. Just makes a mess... :)
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Cheers,
> Brian
>