A4 Avant 1.8T - HELP PLEASE
11-13-2008, 05:22 PM
#1
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 14
A4 Avant 1.8T - HELP PLEASE
Can anybody help me, pls, with the following problem? I have A4 Avant 1.8T.
The cooling temperature gauge makes some very weird fluctuations. In total there are 3 stages it can behave: either it stays at roughly 60C and does not move at all, or, after the engine heats up, it stays in its normal position (around 90C), or it fluctuates between those two numbers constantly: once hitting the 90C it moves down very quickly (maybe 1-2 sec) then stays there for 10 sec and moves up again. When I went to my mechanic the gauge was reading 90C and he did not detect any problem, but measured the temperature, read the codes and everything was o'k. No check engine light, nothing. He also told me this cannot be thermostat issue (somehow -- I don't know why), that all the sensors were o'k, and that I can drive without worry unless my engine does not overheat.
If this is so (not thermostat, not sensor) -- what else can it be?
And can it hurt the engine?
Thanks in advance for your advises!
(Sorry, I am a new here and realized I have posted this thread in the wrong forum and I don't know how to move it).
The cooling temperature gauge makes some very weird fluctuations. In total there are 3 stages it can behave: either it stays at roughly 60C and does not move at all, or, after the engine heats up, it stays in its normal position (around 90C), or it fluctuates between those two numbers constantly: once hitting the 90C it moves down very quickly (maybe 1-2 sec) then stays there for 10 sec and moves up again. When I went to my mechanic the gauge was reading 90C and he did not detect any problem, but measured the temperature, read the codes and everything was o'k. No check engine light, nothing. He also told me this cannot be thermostat issue (somehow -- I don't know why), that all the sensors were o'k, and that I can drive without worry unless my engine does not overheat.
If this is so (not thermostat, not sensor) -- what else can it be?
And can it hurt the engine?
Thanks in advance for your advises!
(Sorry, I am a new here and realized I have posted this thread in the wrong forum and I don't know how to move it).
Last edited by dream_audi; 11-13-2008 at 05:32 PM.
11-13-2008, 05:34 PM
#2
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 14
Help, please!
Can anybody help me, pls, with the following problem? I have A4 Avant 1.8T.
The cooling temperature gauge makes some very weird fluctuations. In total there are 3 stages it can behave: either it stays at roughly 60C and does not move at all, or, after the engine heats up, it stays in its normal position (around 90C), or it fluctuates between those two numbers constantly: once hitting the 90C it moves down very quickly (maybe 1-2 sec) then stays there for 10 sec and moves up again. When I went to my mechanic the gauge was reading 90C and he did not detect any problem, but measured the temperature, read the codes and everything was o'k. No check engine light, nothing. He also told me this cannot be thermostat issue (somehow -- I don't know why), that all the sensors were o'k, and that I can drive without worry unless my engine does not overheat.
If this is so (not thermostat, not sensor) -- what else can it be?
And can it hurt the engine?
Thanks in advance for your advises!
The cooling temperature gauge makes some very weird fluctuations. In total there are 3 stages it can behave: either it stays at roughly 60C and does not move at all, or, after the engine heats up, it stays in its normal position (around 90C), or it fluctuates between those two numbers constantly: once hitting the 90C it moves down very quickly (maybe 1-2 sec) then stays there for 10 sec and moves up again. When I went to my mechanic the gauge was reading 90C and he did not detect any problem, but measured the temperature, read the codes and everything was o'k. No check engine light, nothing. He also told me this cannot be thermostat issue (somehow -- I don't know why), that all the sensors were o'k, and that I can drive without worry unless my engine does not overheat.
If this is so (not thermostat, not sensor) -- what else can it be?
And can it hurt the engine?
Thanks in advance for your advises!
11-13-2008, 07:15 PM
#4
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Re: Help, please!
My avant behaved the same. In my case it was the engine coolant sensor on the back of the engine.
The cost of the sensor is about $40 and takes about 1/2 hour to replace. Here's the DIY I used:
AudiWorld Tech Articles
Ironically, 2 weeks after I swapped it out, I got a recall letter from Audi to have it replaced under warranty.
Hope this helps.
The cost of the sensor is about $40 and takes about 1/2 hour to replace. Here's the DIY I used:
AudiWorld Tech Articles
Ironically, 2 weeks after I swapped it out, I got a recall letter from Audi to have it replaced under warranty.
Hope this helps.
11-13-2008, 11:16 PM
#5
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 14
Re: A4 Avant 1.8T - HELP PLEASE
Thank you for the replies! Do you think I need to go to Audi dealer to replace the sensor, or I can do it myself?
And does it mean that indeed the temperature fluctuates or just the gauge shows the wrong temperature due to the bad sensor? Is it harmful for the engine?
BTW, I noticed that when the engine is warmed up (after 15 minutes of continuous driving) the gauge does not fluctuate, but stays at one place (more often in its normal position -- around 90C, but sometimes around 60C), so presumably it fluctuates during the heating of the engine. This just another symptom...
Thanks again!
And does it mean that indeed the temperature fluctuates or just the gauge shows the wrong temperature due to the bad sensor? Is it harmful for the engine?
BTW, I noticed that when the engine is warmed up (after 15 minutes of continuous driving) the gauge does not fluctuate, but stays at one place (more often in its normal position -- around 90C, but sometimes around 60C), so presumably it fluctuates during the heating of the engine. This just another symptom...
Thanks again!
11-14-2008, 08:23 AM
#6
Audi Forum - Posts like an A3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 68
Re: A4 Avant 1.8T - HELP PLEASE
Simple scan of the computer should be able to narrow it down to the sensor or the gauge.
No codes at all?
If the thermostat was toast, it would most likely throw a code as it has an electronic component to it on the B6+.
Should you not have access to a decent Audi shop - toss in a new temp sensor, as they are relatively cheap, and go from there.
No codes at all?
If the thermostat was toast, it would most likely throw a code as it has an electronic component to it on the B6+.
Should you not have access to a decent Audi shop - toss in a new temp sensor, as they are relatively cheap, and go from there.
11-14-2008, 09:57 AM
#9
Audi Forum - Posts like an A3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 68
Re: A4 Avant 1.8T - HELP PLEASE
Parts Source is also free last I heard.
Dealer may charge $120/hour - depending on which dealer it is...
11-14-2008, 10:00 AM
#10
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 14
Re: A4 Avant 1.8T - HELP PLEASE
Thanks! I'll try to replace ECT sensor as this is cheap and easy according to the description. Does anybody know where I can purchase the ECT sensor in Toronto?
