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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: madsb on 27 February 2013, 21:03

Title: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: madsb on 27 February 2013, 21:03
Is this normal? I can sit in the drive for a few mins in idle and the temp will be around 90 degrees, however when I drive for a short period, the temp will drop back to 60-70 degrees... How can I fix this ? Cheers.
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: tweed on 27 February 2013, 21:13
That is your thermostat buddy. Get a new one
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: boneybradley on 27 February 2013, 21:43
and get a quality thermostat with new seals...


cheapo's never seem to last/work!
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: VW BUSH on 27 February 2013, 23:24
Its behind the power steering pump if you have one, a black plastic flange with some pipes on it :wink:
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: madsb on 28 February 2013, 00:01
Thanks guys :)

I have to say though, it's not as if the temperature wont rise to 90 when driving at all. It will eventually, after a pretty long period. Do you reckon the thermostat is completely broken or fixable? Any links to ebay or amazon for a new one?
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: Callum_K on 28 February 2013, 08:53
Just get a new one. Try Eurocarparts, GSF, or Carparts4less if you don't want to pick it up (same as ECP but cheaper as online only).
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 28 February 2013, 10:16
I had this on my Anni, very rarely did I see it go above 70. New thermostat and all has been good since July 2011.
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: madsb on 28 February 2013, 10:59
I had this on my Anni, very rarely did I see it go above 70. New thermostat and all has been good since July 2011.

Awesome, good to hear from someone who has experienced the same thing :) What exactly do i search on? Isn't it called anything other than a thermostat? (not native English :) )
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: madsb on 28 February 2013, 11:07
Which one should i get? http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/p/car-parts////?209440040&1&d7672f4f61286e2227f64803f5bb882cbe767cda&000325

or

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/p/car-parts////?209660160&1&9e032b797d97732d707842685197e4c9d34f28e5&000325
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: madsb on 28 February 2013, 14:29
Nvm which one , found one here in Denmark :) anyway; anyone got at step by step guide on how to do it? thanks guys
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: WeekendMechanic on 28 February 2013, 17:49
Unbolt the power steering pump take the v belt off, push p/s pump out of the way, drain the coolant from under, were the p/s steering pump was by unbolting the plastic elbow,take thermostat out, place new one in along with the seal, bolt up test for leaks,refill,mount p/s pump/vbelt.
job done :)
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: Jasikasisback on 28 February 2013, 22:06
wow thrmostat for less than three quid.ecp ripped me big time!
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: Khare on 28 February 2013, 23:51
Carparts4less is much much better, in terms of price obviously. I've been using them for a while now and parts are literally identical to ECP, website images and information is all the same  :smiley:

Also you might want to get a new plastic elbow when you change the thermostat. There's a high chance it'll crack when you remove it, or possibly when you install it again, as it's plastic and after all these years it'll be brittle. I think the elbow is only about £13 or so. Get a new O ring too and make sure the thermostat is fitted the RIGHT WAY ROUND! Remember how your old one came off.
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: boneybradley on 01 March 2013, 08:49
Carparts4less is much much better, in terms of price obviously. I've been using them for a while now and parts are literally identical to ECP, website images and information is all the same  :smiley:


owned by the same company.... but cp4l has let me down more than once now! (showing stuff they cannot/do not sell for example!)

also prices are 25% less on most things than ecp.. use our forum discount code and they are the same, plus you can also collect/exchange from your local shop (essential with vw's random mix of parts!)
Title: Re: Car cooling when driving....
Post by: Callum_K on 01 March 2013, 13:43
I often find CP4L prices are still cheaper than ECP even after the forum discount on certain products, so it's worth checking out both sites!

Would also recommend replacing the thermostat cover, and the elbow that joins thre cover to the radiator as they are also prone to leaking as I found out.