Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature gauge is
between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The temperature
quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the thermostat and
planned to replace it this weekend. This morning when I started the car
the generator and the cooling warning lamps did not go out. The
generator belt was not broken, though a little slack. I tightened the
belt and after that the warning lamps did go out. After driving about 15
km the generator warning lamp suddenly started blinking. At the same
time the temperature dropped and I had a vague feeling that something
smelled like it was burned. I stopped the car and checked the generator
belt. It was still tight. Aftar a couple of minutes I decided to drive
home again. Now the temperature was between 85C and 90 C. When I came
home I noticed that one fuse was blown, but it was just a small fuse for
the parking light, so I don't think it is related to the other problems.
Anyone have an idea of what can be wrong? The engine is quite old (over
560 000 km) so maybe it has done its duty and should be replaced?

Thanks
/Sven

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

Sven Agardh wrote:
> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature gauge is
> between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The temperature
> quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the thermostat and
> planned to replace it this weekend. This morning when I started the car
> the generator and the cooling warning lamps did not go out. The
> generator belt was not broken, though a little slack. I tightened the
> belt and after that the warning lamps did go out. After driving about 15
> km the generator warning lamp suddenly started blinking. At the same
> time the temperature dropped and I had a vague feeling that something
> smelled like it was burned. I stopped the car and checked the generator
> belt. It was still tight. Aftar a couple of minutes I decided to drive
> home again. Now the temperature was between 85C and 90 C. When I came
> home I noticed that one fuse was blown, but it was just a small fuse for
> the parking light, so I don't think it is related to the other problems.
> Anyone have an idea of what can be wrong? The engine is quite old (over
> 560 000 km) so maybe it has done its duty and should be replaced?
>
> Thanks
> /Sven
>

When was the last time you changed the water pump?

Cheers,

C

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

Chris Mauritz wrote:

> Sven Agardh wrote:
>
>> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature gauge
>> is between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The temperature
>> quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the thermostat and
>> planned to replace it this weekend. This morning when I started the
>> car the generator and the cooling warning lamps did not go out. The
>> generator belt was not broken, though a little slack. I tightened the
>> belt and after that the warning lamps did go out. After driving about
>> 15 km the generator warning lamp suddenly started blinking. At the
>> same time the temperature dropped and I had a vague feeling that
>> something smelled like it was burned. I stopped the car and checked
>> the generator belt. It was still tight. Aftar a couple of minutes I
>> decided to drive home again. Now the temperature was between 85C and
>> 90 C. When I came home I noticed that one fuse was blown, but it was
>> just a small fuse for the parking light, so I don't think it is
>> related to the other problems. Anyone have an idea of what can be
>> wrong? The engine is quite old (over 560 000 km) so maybe it has done
>> its duty and should be replaced?
>>
>> Thanks
>> /Sven
>>
>
> When was the last time you changed the water pump?
>
> Cheers,
>
> C

Both the water pump and the radiator was replaced less than 6 months ago.

/Sven

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

Sven Agardh wrote:
> Chris Mauritz wrote:
>
>> Sven Agardh wrote:
>>
>>> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature gauge
>>> is between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The temperature
>>> quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the thermostat and
>>> planned to replace it this weekend. This morning when I started the
>>> car the generator and the cooling warning lamps did not go out. The
>>> generator belt was not broken, though a little slack. I tightened the
>>> belt and after that the warning lamps did go out. After driving about
>>> 15 km the generator warning lamp suddenly started blinking. At the
>>> same time the temperature dropped and I had a vague feeling that
>>> something smelled like it was burned. I stopped the car and checked
>>> the generator belt. It was still tight. Aftar a couple of minutes I
>>> decided to drive home again. Now the temperature was between 85C and
>>> 90 C. When I came home I noticed that one fuse was blown, but it was
>>> just a small fuse for the parking light, so I don't think it is
>>> related to the other problems. Anyone have an idea of what can be
>>> wrong? The engine is quite old (over 560 000 km) so maybe it has done
>>> its duty and should be replaced?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> /Sven
>>>
>>
>> When was the last time you changed the water pump?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> C
>
>
> Both the water pump and the radiator was replaced less than 6 months ago.

Is the radiator fan coming on?

cheers,

C

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

Chris Mauritz wrote:

> Sven Agardh wrote:
>
>> Chris Mauritz wrote:
>>
>>> Sven Agardh wrote:
>>>
>>>> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature
>>>> gauge is between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The
>>>> temperature quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the
>>>> thermostat and planned to replace it this weekend. This morning
>>>> when I started the car the generator and the cooling warning lamps
>>>> did not go out. The generator belt was not broken, though a little
>>>> slack. I tightened the belt and after that the warning lamps did go
>>>> out. After driving about 15 km the generator warning lamp suddenly
>>>> started blinking. At the same time the temperature dropped and I
>>>> had a vague feeling that something smelled like it was burned. I
>>>> stopped the car and checked the generator belt. It was still tight.
>>>> Aftar a couple of minutes I decided to drive home again. Now the
>>>> temperature was between 85C and 90 C. When I came home I noticed
>>>> that one fuse was blown, but it was just a small fuse for the
>>>> parking light, so I don't think it is related to the other
>>>> problems. Anyone have an idea of what can be wrong? The engine is
>>>> quite old (over 560 000 km) so maybe it has done its duty and
>>>> should be replaced?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> /Sven
>>>>
>>>
>>> When was the last time you changed the water pump?
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> C
>>
>>
>>
>> Both the water pump and the radiator was replaced less than 6 months
>> ago.
>
>
> Is the radiator fan coming on?
>
> cheers,
>
> C

I can't recall hearing the fan for a while. I haven't checked if it is
working.

/Sven

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

Sven Agardh wrote:
> Chris Mauritz wrote:
>
>> Sven Agardh wrote:
>>
>>> Chris Mauritz wrote:
>>>
>>>> Sven Agardh wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature
>>>>> gauge is between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The
>>>>> temperature quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the
>>>>> thermostat and planned to replace it this weekend. This morning
>>>>> when I started the car the generator and the cooling warning lamps
>>>>> did not go out. The generator belt was not broken, though a little
>>>>> slack. I tightened the belt and after that the warning lamps did go
>>>>> out. After driving about 15 km the generator warning lamp suddenly
>>>>> started blinking. At the same time the temperature dropped and I
>>>>> had a vague feeling that something smelled like it was burned. I
>>>>> stopped the car and checked the generator belt. It was still tight.
>>>>> Aftar a couple of minutes I decided to drive home again. Now the
>>>>> temperature was between 85C and 90 C. When I came home I noticed
>>>>> that one fuse was blown, but it was just a small fuse for the
>>>>> parking light, so I don't think it is related to the other
>>>>> problems. Anyone have an idea of what can be wrong? The engine is
>>>>> quite old (over 560 000 km) so maybe it has done its duty and
>>>>> should be replaced?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>> /Sven
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> When was the last time you changed the water pump?
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>>
>>>> C
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Both the water pump and the radiator was replaced less than 6 months
>>> ago.
>>
>>
>>
>> Is the radiator fan coming on?
>>
>> cheers,
>>
>> C
>
>
> I can't recall hearing the fan for a while. I haven't checked if it is
> working.

Start it up and let the car idle while parked. When it reaches normal
operating temperature, the fan should come on. If it doesn't, there's
your problem. If that's the case you then move on to checking the fan
relay and the fan motor itself.

Cheers,

C

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

>>>>>> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature
>>>>>> gauge is between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The
>>>>>> temperature quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the
>>>>>> thermostat and planned to replace it this weekend. This morning
>>>>>> when I started the car the generator and the cooling warning
>>>>>> lamps did not go out. The generator belt was not broken, though a
>>>>>> little slack. I tightened the belt and after that the warning
>>>>>> lamps did go out. After driving about 15 km the generator warning
>>>>>> lamp suddenly started blinking. At the same time the temperature
>>>>>> dropped and I had a vague feeling that something smelled like it
>>>>>> was burned. I stopped the car and checked the generator belt. It
>>>>>> was still tight. Aftar a couple of minutes I decided to drive
>>>>>> home again. Now the temperature was between 85C and 90 C. When I
>>>>>> came home I noticed that one fuse was blown, but it was just a
>>>>>> small fuse for the parking light, so I don't think it is related
>>>>>> to the other problems. Anyone have an idea of what can be wrong?
>>>>>> The engine is quite old (over 560 000 km) so maybe it has done
>>>>>> its duty and should be replaced?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>> /Sven
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> When was the last time you changed the water pump?
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>
>>>>> C
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Both the water pump and the radiator was replaced less than 6
>>>> months ago.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Is the radiator fan coming on?
>>>
>>> cheers,
>>>
>>> C
>>
>>
>>
>> I can't recall hearing the fan for a while. I haven't checked if it
>> is working.
>
>
> Start it up and let the car idle while parked. When it reaches normal
> operating temperature, the fan should come on. If it doesn't, there's
> your problem. If that's the case you then move on to checking the fan
> relay and the fan motor itself.
>
> Cheers,
>
> C

I thought the fan was not used under normal conditions. As long as I
have had the car the fan has just been used when the engine was hotter
than normal like in heavy city traffic.

/Sven

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

Sven Agardh wrote:
>
>>>>>>> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature
>>>>>>> gauge is between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The
>>>>>>> temperature quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was the
>>>>>>> thermostat and planned to replace it this weekend. This morning
>>>>>>> when I started the car the generator and the cooling warning
>>>>>>> lamps did not go out. The generator belt was not broken, though a
>>>>>>> little slack. I tightened the belt and after that the warning
>>>>>>> lamps did go out. After driving about 15 km the generator warning
>>>>>>> lamp suddenly started blinking. At the same time the temperature
>>>>>>> dropped and I had a vague feeling that something smelled like it
>>>>>>> was burned. I stopped the car and checked the generator belt. It
>>>>>>> was still tight. Aftar a couple of minutes I decided to drive
>>>>>>> home again. Now the temperature was between 85C and 90 C. When I
>>>>>>> came home I noticed that one fuse was blown, but it was just a
>>>>>>> small fuse for the parking light, so I don't think it is related
>>>>>>> to the other problems. Anyone have an idea of what can be wrong?
>>>>>>> The engine is quite old (over 560 000 km) so maybe it has done
>>>>>>> its duty and should be replaced?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>> /Sven
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When was the last time you changed the water pump?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> C
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Both the water pump and the radiator was replaced less than 6
>>>>> months ago.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Is the radiator fan coming on?
>>>>
>>>> cheers,
>>>>
>>>> C
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I can't recall hearing the fan for a while. I haven't checked if it
>>> is working.
>>
>>
>>
>> Start it up and let the car idle while parked. When it reaches normal
>> operating temperature, the fan should come on. If it doesn't, there's
>> your problem. If that's the case you then move on to checking the fan
>> relay and the fan motor itself.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> C
>
>
> I thought the fan was not used under normal conditions. As long as I
> have had the car the fan has just been used when the engine was hotter
> than normal like in heavy city traffic.

No, the fan should definitely come on when the car is idling after 5-10
minutes since there is no airflow through the radiator (when the car is
not moving) without it. I suspect this is your problem and explains why
the engine runs hot in city traffic.

Cheers,

C

Re: Engine (cooling) problem on Audi 80 '86
 

The fan motor may have siezed bearings and that load caused the fusable
link to blow out (if you have one). If you don't it probably fried the
wiring and caused the smell and alternator loading. It happens often
when miles get up there.

Tony
'91 100Q 5spd

Chris Mauritz wrote:
> Sven Agardh wrote:
>
>>
>>>>>>>> For a while my Audi has been overheating a bit. The temperature
>>>>>>>> gauge is between 95C an 100C. It is normally stable at 90C. The
>>>>>>>> temperature quickly goes up in city traffic. I thought it was
>>>>>>>> the thermostat and planned to replace it this weekend. This
>>>>>>>> morning when I started the car the generator and the cooling
>>>>>>>> warning lamps did not go out. The generator belt was not broken,
>>>>>>>> though a little slack. I tightened the belt and after that the
>>>>>>>> warning lamps did go out. After driving about 15 km the
>>>>>>>> generator warning lamp suddenly started blinking. At the same
>>>>>>>> time the temperature dropped and I had a vague feeling that
>>>>>>>> something smelled like it was burned. I stopped the car and
>>>>>>>> checked the generator belt. It was still tight. Aftar a couple
>>>>>>>> of minutes I decided to drive home again. Now the temperature
>>>>>>>> was between 85C and 90 C. When I came home I noticed that one
>>>>>>>> fuse was blown, but it was just a small fuse for the parking
>>>>>>>> light, so I don't think it is related to the other problems.
>>>>>>>> Anyone have an idea of what can be wrong? The engine is quite
>>>>>>>> old (over 560 000 km) so maybe it has done its duty and should
>>>>>>>> be replaced?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>> /Sven
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When was the last time you changed the water pump?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> C
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Both the water pump and the radiator was replaced less than 6
>>>>>> months ago.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Is the radiator fan coming on?
>>>>>
>>>>> cheers,
>>>>>
>>>>> C
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I can't recall hearing the fan for a while. I haven't checked if it
>>>> is working.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Start it up and let the car idle while parked. When it reaches
>>> normal operating temperature, the fan should come on. If it doesn't,
>>> there's your problem. If that's the case you then move on to
>>> checking the fan relay and the fan motor itself.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> C
>>
>>
>>
>> I thought the fan was not used under normal conditions. As long as I
>> have had the car the fan has just been used when the engine was hotter
>> than normal like in heavy city traffic.
>
>
> No, the fan should definitely come on when the car is idling after 5-10
> minutes since there is no airflow through the radiator (when the car is
> not moving) without it. I suspect this is your problem and explains why
> the engine runs hot in city traffic.
>
> Cheers,
>
> C
>