Coolant temp not at 90

When I bought my mk4 golf 1.6se 8v 1999 the temp display registered 0. I put a new temp sensor on from eurocarparts it now registers but only at about 80 degree. So I bought a new one from VW and it registers at 80 only, my wife took it for a 4/5 mile drive and it made it to 90 but she said it fluctuated.

I doubt both sensors could be bad, so something is not working right.

I'm having a random educated guess at perhaps the thermostat ? (only from reading I guess this)

Would anyone think this is likely, or if I'm barking up the wrong tree ?

If it is this where might it be located on this model and is it a simple to change part from a hobbyist ?

Thanks

Reply to
Dubber
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Don't know about location, but it sounds like your thermostat is opening too early. Usually simple enough to change on most cars if access is ok. Worth changing coolant as you will have to drain it off anyway.

Reply to
Davey

Yeah sounds like thermostat is stuck open, I'd imagine it'd be easy enough on the 1.6 8v, think it's on the back of the waterpump on those. Wish it was so simple on mine it's hidden behind the cambelt, which is why I haven't changed mine even though I've had the system drained twice this year.

Reply to
Jon B

Its not "easy", the thermostat housing is plastic, the screws pass through the water and will undoubtedly be rusted in. You may (almost certainly) end up changing the entire housing, gaskets, coolant etc which is a pretty costly job done by a garage, a fiddly and lengthy job at home.

For what its worth I would leave it but keep an eye on it; at least its not stuck shut!!

Eric

Reply to
Eric Brain

Assuming the 1.6 engine in question is an AEX (or derived from one), the stat is in a plastic housing to the right hand side of the rocker cover. It's a doddle to get in and out, the screws don't rust in, and as it's near the top of the engine, you don't lose much coolant. It is a rather odd design of stat though - a plastic casing with a pin that pushes out as temperature rises, pushing it away from the hole it's blocking...

Reply to
Doki

Its the AEH engine. I picked up the part today from euro car parts. Hopefully once the weather stops thumping down with rain I'll have a go at it. Sounds like its not going to be a pig of a job. I just got done doing the rear bushes on the mk4 golf and that was the worst job in the world I have ever done. I shall never do it again on a mk4 and will sing it from the roof top to others to happily pay a garage :)

I hope the thermostat is as simple as it sounds above doki. So its in the right hand side to the rocker cover when standing infront ?

The stat does look a bit weird. Weird design. At least it wasn't to dear of a part. Hopefully should be a quick-ish fix.

Reply to
Dubber

Aha. I originally meant AEE anyhow - the AEX is the 1.4 but is much the same - obviously the same block with a different bore or stroke.

That's right.

If you look at Ebay item # 400052671631, then the Stat and thermostat housing are the two items pictured on the right. I'd be very surprised if VW have moved the thermostat from its position on the AEX/AEE fitted to the MK3.

Reply to
Doki

A common fault with these is the housing, the part where the pin on the thermostat sits wears.

Reply to
Fred

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