[V6-12v] Thermostat lifespan

[Tom Christiansen]

One more thing: This under-heating situation happened suddenly. I
replaced the heater core in late May. The system is well-bled and was
performing normally until yesterday when the engine wouldn't warm up
during freeway driving. There has not been any significant change in
outdoor temperature or my driving habits oven the past 1-2 weeks. For
the past year I've been driving about 2000 miles per month so I have a
pretty good feel for how the car should behave when it's feeling well.

Tom

On 6/19/06, Austin Franklin <austin.franklin at charter.net> wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> I did mine last year at 60k, and it was fine...just 10 years old, so I
> replaced the timing belt, water pump and thermostat.  It's a bit of a PITA
> job just for a thermostat though!
>
> BUT...I wouldn't rule out that there is some other problem.  Check the
> expansion tank cap...see if it shakes (after you take it off).  If there is
> excessive pressure in the system, it will hold the thermostat open and cause
> the exact same problem.
>
> Regards,
>
> Austin
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: v6-12v-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:v6-12v-bounces at audifans.com]On
> > Behalf Of Tom Christiansen
> > Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 12:06 AM
> > To: v6-12v at audifans.com
> > Subject: [V6-12v] Thermostat lifespan
> >
> >
> > Folks,
> >
> > It obviously figures that immediately after I replace my heater core,
> > the thermostat is now stuck open prompting me to spend even more hard
> > earned cash on that liquid Audi gold coolant. Dammit!!
> >
> > Anyway. It got me thinking: What's the average lifespan of a
> > thermostat. Mine has a couple of years (2-3) and 30k miles on it. Is
> > it normal for a thermostat to fail this early? I'd think it was
> > designed to last at least 60k so it could be replaced along with the
> > timing belt.
> >
> > At least it's stuck open. Not shut...
> >
> > Tom
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