Hi again guys,

( B8 2L TDI 2014 A5 Quattro))

Just bought my 1st Audi and noticed that the operating temp doesn't get to 90 degrees, it tends to fluctuate between 45 and 75 degrees. All my other cars reach 90 and stay there.

I'm assuming this is not normal but was wondering what might cause this and what I can do to sort this out.

s

So...... I thought I would put it on here and ask the experts. 

 

Thanks,

Hello Kev, sounds like a fault thermostat.

Regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth, 

I did some research also and agree, probably the thermo.  But thought id ask you guys as sometime it could be something else. Or even normal for an Audi ...lol 

I couldn't find a thread for this so maybe someone else will read it. 

 

Thanks Bud.

Barn door - thermostat, as starting point.

No, it shouldn’t be like it is. 

I'm not a mechanic, so is this something that I can change myself or would you guys recommend I take it to a garage.  

If so, do you guys know an average price for getting the job done by an independent. Hope its not an expensive job. 

Mine is stuck open but stays at 75 degrees so how about hitting it with a hammer to see if it is just slightly stuck........ lol (just a bit of humour there)

 

thank you in advance.

This is the sort of job any local garage would be able to do for you.

Costing?? , but part cost would be available from Audi. Might come as part of a larger housing, but sorry, don’t know on your car. 
On an 11 year old vehicle I would generally recommend using aftermarket parts, but in the case of thermostats, I would suggest you insist on a main dealer part, due to the not-infrequent issues with aftermarket ones - regrettably, I don’t know who manufactures these for VAG, so cannot suggest an aftermarket supplier.

Unless you are buying the part, and getting a local garage to fit it, be wary of what they may fit - there can be a lot of rubbish associated with so called OEM brands, so if you hear this - beware. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

So that's a no to the hammer idea then ... lol 

Thanks Gareth I'll get a quote as I'm not the best with spanners, and good suggestion regarding the oem parts. 

Kev.

You are making a mountain out of a molehill here. The car needs a new thermostat, no ifs or buts. If you can't fit it yourself get a garage to do it.

Thanks Cliff, 

I'm at that opinion, I'm only asking as I've done a bit of looking on the old YouTube and Internet and the costs for getting it fixed range up to 800 quid. Saying the front bumper has to come off, oil and coolant needs draining and changing the water pump at the same time. 

This is why you guys are great for us noobs as you have probably done all this before and have genuine experience. 

 

Plus anyone else reading this for the first time saves them asking the same questions. 

 

Great work guys, thank you. 

Guys 

Got a bit of a problem here, after reading your comments and checking YouTube, there seems to be a bit of a curve ball with me.

As follows.....

Operating temp is 70 degrees (goes to 75 if driven hard) never gets to operating temp.  (Also the temp doesn't go down at all when the heater is on full)

The top pipe off the radiator starts off cold and gradually gets hot. No sudden change. So assume the thermo is open. 

But

The heaters in the car are at 75 degrees blowing hot air. ????? 

Also

I have poor miles per gallon. (from full to 1/4 tank I've done 285 miles)

So 

Do you guys still think it's the thermo or could it be the coolant sensor or both..... or something else? 

I've tried to give all details, as to maybe help future readers diagnose their problems. 

 

Thanks again guys for your advice.

👍

 

 

 

Just out of interest - when was the timing belt last changed? Personally I'd do them every 5 years and 60k miles and put in new tensioner puller, water-pump and thermostat if it's faulty. Audi temperature should be bang on 90 degrees, possibly a little warmer if you're towing. 

Apparently it was done 5k miles ago, but just bought the car so can't be 100% sure.

All the belts look new at the front. 

And yeh 90 c is the norm.

Hello Kev,

You’ve been asking over a number of posts if your current operating temperature is normal. You have been advised that it isn’t, and the likely culprit is the thermostat.

You then come back with ‘ … yeh 90 is the norm’ , as if you knew that all along - which by your earlier question, you didn’t! - getting a bit tiresome Kev.

As Clifford said, you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

My final suggestion to you is change the thermostat yourself, or actively seek local estimates to get it done.

I’m getting vibes that you are decidedly indecisive! 
Good luck with whatever you decide ( if you do eventually decide!) to do. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

8 hours ago, A5Kev said:

Do you guys still think it's the thermo or could it be the coolant sensor or both..... or something else?

How many times does it have to be repeated Kev? You need a new thermostat.

The increased fuel costs as a result of running cool for several weeks could have off set some the cost of having the job done at a garage. Do you have money to burn?

9 hours ago, A5Kev said:

Apparently it was done 5k miles ago, but just bought the car so can't be 100% sure.

All the belts look new at the front. 

And yeh 90 c is the norm.

Hi the thermostat housing is to the right hand side of the engine and has two smaller thermostats within it if it is a CN designated engine with the aluminium inlet manifold, its a sod to get to and normally requires the removal of the inlet manifold.

Steve.

Have you come to a decision yet Kev?