[Vwdiesel] $15 lesson

[dieseltdi at verizon.net]

Well just learned another lesson about cheap knock off parts vs OEM.  Over the last month, as I was trouble shooting my cruise control problem (solved by the way) one of the parts I replaced was the coolant temperature sender.  I bought one at the local FLAPS (O'Reilly auto parts). It looked the same, even had the same temperature range written on it but it sure didn't work the same!!  My car (04 Jetta TDI BEW) has always been rock solid at 190 degree F regardless of what I do, including dragging my 82 Jetta Coupe back from Pennsylvania.  As soon as I put on the aftermarket sensor, the gauge began to register one mark higher on the temp gauge and sometimes even higher.  Well after a 400 mile round trip to Austin, Tx and back, I had had enough so I stopped by a VW dealer on the way home and purchased a OEM sensor.  Sure enough, water temp is back to being rock solid on 190!  Another lesson learned and it only cost me $15.  Hayden


“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.” 

“I do not know if the people of the United States would vote for superior men if they ran for office, but there can be no doubt that such men do not run."

“I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and that they may absolutely refuse to move at all.”  Alexis de Tocqueville


Visit my website at:  http://mysite.verizon.net/resosxp8/mydieselpages/
Proud owner of:
2004 Jetta GL PD TDI
1968 Beetle, my latest project, watch for details
1982 VW Jetta Coupe with GTD turbo diesel transplant (in progress)
And many, many, many VWs; from a 1947 Beetle (13 Beetles total), to Vans (5 - 3 splitties, 2 bay window (both were campers), 1 Vanagon Westy, Rabbits (3), Karmen Ghia (1), Jettas (9), Passats (2), Dasher (1), New Beetle (1), Rabbit Convertible (1) and Rabbit Pickups (3) most now gone but not forgotten.