GTI running too cool?

[louis19]

I think I'm having the same issue as stated above. What would you guys call running "too cool"? My GTI cruising along in the current weather at night (12-15 Celsius) is sitting on 70 degrees as opposed to 90 degrees when around town at lights or during the day. I must admit it does seem like it takes a fair while to warm up to 90 degrees (probably 10-15 mins on average) during the day when it's warming aswell. Is running at 70 degrees at night and the time it take to warm up an issue worth worrying about or should it be corrected? And if so, should I first look at the sensor mentioned above or just go straight for the thermostat?

Thanks!

[Stuwey]

Definitely too cool there mate. Ideally, water should be 90C ad the oil should be around 95C before giving it a real hard time.

I'm not gonna scan anything... Straight to the thermostat for me. Next weekends job!

[louis19]

Definitely too cool there mate. Ideally, water should be 90C ad the oil should be around 95C before giving it a real hard time.

I'm not gonna scan anything... Straight to the thermostat for me. Next weekends job!

Thanks mate! I thought it was odd. How quickly should the car warm up in normal driving conditions? Surely my 10-15 mins is to long aswell. By the sounds of it replacing the thermostat is the best way to go for me aswell? How are you guys reading the oil temp? I've only got the 1 gauge up the top next to fuel which I presume is the water temp?

Also where's the best spot to get a new thermostat and how much I'm looking at price wise?

Sorry for for all the ?'s!


Edit: I now strongly believe it is the thermostat as I drove the car and got it to the normal 90 degrees this morning then just cruised along when it was 15 degrees outside and within 1-2 mins it had already dropped back to 70-75 degrees so I can only assume it is staying open.

[h100vw]

Thanks mate! I thought it was odd. How quickly should the car warm up in normal driving conditions? Surely my 10-15 mins is to long aswell. By the sounds of it replacing the thermostat is the best way to go for me aswell? How are you guys reading the oil temp? I've only got the 1 gauge up the top next to fuel which I presume is the water temp?

Also where's the best spot to get a new thermostat and how much I'm looking at price wise?

Sorry for for all the ?'s!


Edit: I now strongly believe it is the thermostat as I drove the car and got it to the normal 90 degrees this morning then just cruised along when it was 15 degrees outside and within 1-2 mins it had already dropped back to 70-75 degrees so I can only assume it is staying open.

You can check the temp sensor with VCDS, compare the ECU input with the dash. Does sound to be 100% the stat to me though. Are you still running pink coolant?

Gavin

[louis19]

You can check the temp sensor with VCDS, compare the ECU input with the dash. Does sound to be 100% the stat to me though. Are you still running pink coolant?

Gavin

Hi Gav, yes I am still running the Pink coolant. Sorry for the noob question, what's the VCDS and how do I compare the ECU input on the dash?

Should the car sit at the optimal 90C even when it's cold outside or is it normal that it's sitting at 70C given the fact that the air would be a contributing factor?

Thanks mate

[h100vw]

Hi Gav, yes I am still running the Pink coolant. Sorry for the noob question, what's the VCDS and how do I compare the ECU input on the dash?

Should the car sit at the optimal 90C even when it's cold outside or is it normal that it's sitting at 70C given the fact that the air would be a contributing factor?

Thanks mate

LOL you need to get with the program! VCDS is the one thing you need in your life after buying a VW.

It's a diagnostic lead and software that allows you to look at the fault codes in controllers in your car. So you can look at live data in the ECU and the instruments and see if they agree or not.

The needle movement is damped to a degree so that it shows 90 unless there's a big drama coming. Once to temp, either airflow from driving or the fans will keep the temp steady.

Outside temps on a cold day would mean the thermostat would restrict flow a little to get more heat in the coolant and open up more on a hot day to increase flow.

Gavin

[Swainey32]

Sounds like I have the same issue as well, I just assumed cold weather meant cold everything haha
Where should I buy a thermostat for my mk4 Gav?

[nat225]

Answers (well almost) to all modern VW Audi cars

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[h100vw]

Sounds like I have the same issue as well, I just assumed cold weather meant cold everything haha
Where should I buy a thermostat for my mk4 Gav?

The stat should regulate the temp all year round, the gauge shouldn't move unless something is broken.

So if you aren't getting to temp then it's likely a problem. If it's over heating, a broken water pump would be on my investigation list.

Gavin

Ref your PM, I had forgotten too #airhead

[Swainey32]

The stat should regulate the temp all year round, the gauge shouldn't move unless something is broken.

So if you aren't getting to temp then it's likely a problem. If it's over heating, a broken water pump would be on my investigation list.

Gavin

Ref your PM, I had forgotten too #airhead

Ok definitely need one, it never gets to 90 anymore, max 70ish. Will track one down.

Haha ok good, that makes me less worried, I was thinking oh no I hope he isnt waiting and getting angry with me haha