A4 TDi running cold ? - Page 2

spaarky · 20-02-10, 01:43 AM

cheers dandan - hoping I won't need the fan switch

spaarky · 20-02-10, 01:45 AM

& was the problem with the passat rather than the 80TD?

al12 · 28-03-10, 08:02 PM

Not sure if you got this sorted or not. My 96 A4 has been running at 70oC for a long time now but doesn't affect cabin temperature much.
I had a problem where it always blew cold air but it was the temperature regulator motor that was causing the problem. Took it apart, give it a good clean and all was sorted. Take a read of these threads.

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=340582

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=345890

I didn't dissamble anywhere near as much in the second thread, just drop the glove box out and you should see the levers. Move temp from low to high and the lever should move. Mine didnt so disconnected the lever, moved it by hand and heat instantly so knew this was my problem. I think you wont be able to move the levers when they are connected to the motor but cant really remember.

spaarky · 29-03-10, 12:00 AM

cheers for the info al12 - I finally got to swap out the coolant & the thermostat last week - the thermostat was only £5 from gsf, but the coolant cost £22 from audi ! to be fair, coolant from e.g. halfrauds was £25, so not only has it got the correct stuff, but cheaper too, & from a main dealer. MOST unusual

either way, after swapping coolant & stat, the motor was up to proper operating 90C temp within a few miles of my house, which was a result in itself. even better, the heater now works properly, for the first time in ages. my old man is now a happy & warm man !

the only disturbing part was that the coolant system didn't want to take all the water/coolant suggested by the audi or even haynes spec. so, potential airlock, which I'm not 100% sure how to fix, but am hoping that a few miles' running will settle everything down

many thanks for your info, anyway - am hoping I won't need it & hoping for the best

nickt241 · 29-03-10, 12:21 AM

might sound a bit obvious but i suppose you HAVE checked the water level??,if to low it will not cause the car to overheat as long as aint almost empty but the temp sender needs to have water flowing to give a reading,if not enough water reaches it it will either give no reading or very low,plus the heater will be crap but may give a sudden burst of heat every now and again......as i said,it may be obvious but youde be surprised how often i see this in the garage trade,when its cool fill directly into the rad rather than the expansion tank

spaarky · 29-03-10, 01:20 AM

yes, m8 - coolant level was kool & the gang - used to rebuild engines myself, just a long time ago & not audi - I have 2 cars, one being 40 years old, the other (audi) being 22 years old - maintenance is what I have to do in order to drive anywhere at all - if I couldn't sort the basics, I'd have to slap myself, and invite others to join the queue . . .

& as far as I know, you can't fill an a4 diesel directly into the rad; was painful enough just getting the plastic rad pipes off to drain the damn thing . . .

thanks anyway

nickt241 · 29-03-10, 10:59 PM

no worries dude,i wouldnt know about the audi you have as the only audi im likely to own is the coupe s im restoring,was just going by things i see in general with cars,youde be suprised at how little most know,it constantly suprises me that people that are into cars regularily have no idea how to look after them!..obviously not being the case with you

20-02-10, 01:43 AM	#11
spaarky Grown up member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 124	cheers dandan - hoping I won't need the fan switch

20-02-10, 01:45 AM	#12
spaarky Grown up member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 124	& was the problem with the passat rather than the 80TD?

28-03-10, 08:02 PM	#13
al12 Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1	Not sure if you got this sorted or not. My 96 A4 has been running at 70oC for a long time now but doesn't affect cabin temperature much. I had a problem where it always blew cold air but it was the temperature regulator motor that was causing the problem. Took it apart, give it a good clean and all was sorted. Take a read of these threads. http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=340582 http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=345890 I didn't dissamble anywhere near as much in the second thread, just drop the glove box out and you should see the levers. Move temp from low to high and the lever should move. Mine didnt so disconnected the lever, moved it by hand and heat instantly so knew this was my problem. I think you wont be able to move the levers when they are connected to the motor but cant really remember.

29-03-10, 12:00 AM	#14
spaarky Grown up member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 124	cheers for the info al12 - I finally got to swap out the coolant & the thermostat last week - the thermostat was only £5 from gsf, but the coolant cost £22 from audi ! to be fair, coolant from e.g. halfrauds was £25, so not only has it got the correct stuff, but cheaper too, & from a main dealer. MOST unusual either way, after swapping coolant & stat, the motor was up to proper operating 90C temp within a few miles of my house, which was a result in itself. even better, the heater now works properly, for the first time in ages. my old man is now a happy & warm man ! the only disturbing part was that the coolant system didn't want to take all the water/coolant suggested by the audi or even haynes spec. so, potential airlock, which I'm not 100% sure how to fix, but am hoping that a few miles' running will settle everything down many thanks for your info, anyway - am hoping I won't need it & hoping for the best

29-03-10, 12:21 AM	#15
nickt241 Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 132	might sound a bit obvious but i suppose you HAVE checked the water level??,if to low it will not cause the car to overheat as long as aint almost empty but the temp sender needs to have water flowing to give a reading,if not enough water reaches it it will either give no reading or very low,plus the heater will be crap but may give a sudden burst of heat every now and again......as i said,it may be obvious but youde be surprised how often i see this in the garage trade,when its cool fill directly into the rad rather than the expansion tank

29-03-10, 01:20 AM	#16
spaarky Grown up member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 124	yes, m8 - coolant level was kool & the gang - used to rebuild engines myself, just a long time ago & not audi - I have 2 cars, one being 40 years old, the other (audi) being 22 years old - maintenance is what I have to do in order to drive anywhere at all - if I couldn't sort the basics, I'd have to slap myself, and invite others to join the queue . . . & as far as I know, you can't fill an a4 diesel directly into the rad; was painful enough just getting the plastic rad pipes off to drain the damn thing . . . thanks anyway

29-03-10, 10:59 PM	#17
nickt241 Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 132	no worries dude,i wouldnt know about the audi you have as the only audi im likely to own is the coupe s im restoring,was just going by things i see in general with cars,youde be suprised at how little most know,it constantly suprises me that people that are into cars regularily have no idea how to look after them!..obviously not being the case with you