Mk3 Gti operating temperature increase?

[owenfranssen]

Ove r the last couple of months I've noticed that the normal operating temperature on my (2e) 8v Gti has gone up by approx. 5 degrees. If driving in traffic or sat stationary for a little while the temp can rise as high as 110 before suddenly starting to drop back down towards the 90 degree mark. Under normal driving the temp bobs around between the 90 and 100 degree mark. I've checked the coolant levels and they are all ok. I get hot air from the heating system inside the car. Can any one offer any other suggestions?

[Screech16v]

Sounds like your stat or fan switch is starting to fail, is your fan kicking in as soon as the temp starts creeping up?

[itavaltalainen]

if you had a my95 or later model it would be 90 all the time.... so lucky you still got old speedo.

you said "the last few months" - do you mean the summer?

on more serious note could be that the thermostat opens late, or that the fan switch (for stage 1) does not open and fans only kick in on stage 2. stage on should kick somewhere round 95-100 and stage 2 round about 110....

would investigate switch first as its easier to replace.

might also be worth checking you temperature sender for the instrument and ecu is working correctly.
see here:
http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/aktion/Attachment.html?attachmentId=719242

[xionsolaris]

If the fan kicks in at 90 then the fan is working could be a stickie thermostat. I had a problem with my fan it would work but the connector which is stuck to the back of the fan would wobble and loose contact when I was stuck in traffic so if your fan isnt cutting in try wiggle the plug at the back and see if it comes on