Watercooling question

[michelinmeister]

Just a quick one to run by u guys, ive noticed my GTI has run pretty cool since i bought it...its always hovering at about just past quarter on temp.gauge...isnt it supposed to be getting to the half (operating temp?) Is my thermo stuffed?

[Jmac]

Should run at 90+ mate. thermostat starts opening at 82 degrees, it sounds like its a gonna mate. Address it quickly mate as you will dilute your oil with fuel running cool and not getting to operating temp is not good in the long run.
Good luck champ

[86gti]

yea, too cool means the water is flowing too quick.
sounds like the thermostat to me.
Mine runs between half and 3/4.

[joshyd-mk2gti]

yeh sounds like its stuck open. my temp sits smack on half most of the time.

[Golf Loon]

Maybe no thermostat in there at all.

[Jmac]

Golf Loon yeah i was goin to suggest that wouldnt be the first time hey! but i thought by the sounds it had just started to read low.

[aussieg60]

Are you getting any heat when the heater lever is on inside ?

I remember my temps were just over a 1/4 and when the cars stationary for a while it would creep up to 1/2 way when the cooling fan switches on and down it goes back to just over a 1/4.

[michelinmeister]

Actually i dont put my heater on because for some reason she starts choking on idle whatever the temperature...a quick blip of the throttle cures it and she goes back to 900rpm

[benough]

Bringing up an old thread.

My GTI when in stop start traffic gets to the first 1/4 on the gauge and when driving at a constant speed it goes down to just above the "cold" section

That's not right is it?

Btw where should the needle be for normal operating temp? The middle?

[Jarred]

I say that sounds pretty similar to the op Ben.

thermostat issue. Should be half and above in traffic. Lower on the fwy of course.

You can take the thermo and check it still works by heating it up with a heat gun/ hair dryer kinda thing. It's should "pop" once it heats up enough

HTH

[benough]

Ok, good to know. Will look into it.

Also, what should be my ballpark oil temperature?

Cruising along today it settled into a range that was between 112 and 120 degrees C.

Is that too hot?

[Spyda]

Ok, good to know. Will look into it.

Also, what should be my ballpark oil temperature?

Cruising along today it settled into a range that was between 112 and 120 degrees C.

Is that too hot?

Haha i listend to these guys when this happend to me, ended up waisting a day of my life and about $100.

Before you and they jump straight at the thermostat you should consider if you fan turns on and if your oil gets up to temp. I learnt this the hard way. You can also stick a thermometer in to the water and get a rough reading.

Your oil temp is normal, that means your engine isnt running cool, which means your water isnt moving to fast and you dont need to take everything appart to change the thermostat.

First replace your temp sensor, its right on the front of the head infront of the blue temp sender. It doesnt cost much and only take about 23.76 seconds to replace.

I had the same problem and i replace the temp sensor and the guage works fine.

If that doesnt work then move on to the thermostat.

[benough]

You are a true champion.

The way the gauge behaved seemed to line up with a dud thermostat but being unsure about the oil temp I wasn't ready to commit.

Well I am seeing Brian on Saturday so I might pick one up also. I know it has been replaced in the past.

Will keep you posted.