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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Mamma on 01 October 2010, 13:42

Title: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Mamma on 01 October 2010, 13:42

Hello,

I have a Golf 1997 1.6GL.
For the past 6 months the temp gauge has hung about the lower quartile never quiet making it to the middle- gets to the middle in traffic however drops down to the cold zone when driving.
The blower is always blowing warm/hot heat so i am assuming that the car is heating up ok.

I was advised to change the temp sensor- I have done this and there is no change- the temp gauge is still staying at the lower quartile

Any one of any ideas of what it could be?

The car runs perefect- no spluttering etc

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Wayne on 01 October 2010, 13:45

Air lock or blocked radiator.

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Mamma on 01 October 2010, 13:51

ok, thanks- how do I eleviate an air lock?

Quote from: Wayne on 01 October 2010, 13:45

Air lock or blocked radiator.

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Khare on 01 October 2010, 14:01

Exact symptoms of a faulty thermostat  :smiley:

Wayne, blocked radiator or airlock would cause overheating, not underheating.

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Mamma on 01 October 2010, 14:08

Quote from: Khare on 01 October 2010, 14:01

Exact symptoms of a faulty thermostat  :smiley:

Wayne, blocked radiator or airlock would cause overheating, not underheating.

Ok- Thanks- will get it checked out

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Khare on 01 October 2010, 14:09

to test it start the car from stone cold and let it warm up on idle, touch the bottom radiator hose, if it warms up at the same time as the top radiator hose then it's the thermostat. If the top hose is very hot when the bottom hose starts to warm up then the thermostat is fine.

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Mamma on 01 October 2010, 14:13

Quote from: Khare on 01 October 2010, 14:09

to test it start the car from stone cold and let it warm up on idle, touch the bottom radiator hose, if it warms up at the same time as the top radiator hose then it's the thermostat. If the top hose is very hot when the bottom hose starts to warm up then the thermostat is fine.

Hello Khare - thanks for ur advice- will test it tomorrow.

Thanks

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Wayne on 01 October 2010, 14:15

Quote from: Khare on 01 October 2010, 14:01

Exact symptoms of a faulty thermostat  :smiley:

Wayne, blocked radiator or airlock would cause overheating, not underheating.

Not always, my BMW 520 was underheating due to a blocked radiator.

However it could be a thermostat problem.

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Khare on 01 October 2010, 14:16

No worries and good luck, and don't be put off it is the thermostat, it's an easy job.

Quote from: Wayne on 01 October 2010, 14:15

Quote from: Khare on 01 October 2010, 14:01

Exact symptoms of a faulty thermostat  :smiley:

Wayne, blocked radiator or airlock would cause overheating, not underheating.

Not always, my BMW 520 was underheating due to a blocked radiator.

Somehow I fail to believe it was a radiator blockage  :wink:

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: snifferdog on 01 October 2010, 14:48

Sounds like the thermostat to me, same problem the mrs had on her polo!

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: Rmachines on 01 October 2010, 18:01

I have had issues like this with after market temp sensors!  If its had an aftermarket one fitted (quite likely as they fail a lot)  they can give issues.

Title: Re: Low Temp Reading
Post by: dom on 01 October 2010, 18:04

My guess would also be thermostat  :smiley: