temp gauge...
11-22-2004, 03:45 PM
#1
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
temp gauge...
hey all,
Recently, the coolant gauge has been bothering me. It use to take it about 3-5 minutes to reach about 80 degrees. Now, it stays at ~60 for 10-15minutes+. It can take about 20-30 minutes before it starts to climb again to ~80 degrees. Not low on coolant, no light and physically checked the tank.
Car's got 145k on it, still original thermostat, I'm pretty sure. Do you guys think it's the thermostat going? How easy would it be to replace the thermostat myself?
Thanks for the help guys
Recently, the coolant gauge has been bothering me. It use to take it about 3-5 minutes to reach about 80 degrees. Now, it stays at ~60 for 10-15minutes+. It can take about 20-30 minutes before it starts to climb again to ~80 degrees. Not low on coolant, no light and physically checked the tank.
Car's got 145k on it, still original thermostat, I'm pretty sure. Do you guys think it's the thermostat going? How easy would it be to replace the thermostat myself?
Thanks for the help guys
11-22-2004, 06:37 PM
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1995 , C220
thermostat
I am pretty sure that it is the thermostat. even if it is not it wouldn t hurt to change it since you have the original one on the car. it is $18. just follow the upper hose coming from the radiator. there are three screws, thats it. it ll take about 10 min. good luck
11-22-2004, 06:42 PM
#3
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Hey GDawgC220-
Funny you mention this... I noticed the other day mine is taking longer to reach
the normal operating temp. I just figured since it's cooler out, that's the cause of it. I think it takes an extra 10-15 minutes to reach what I'm used to seeing on the gauge. I think you're ok. Also, I would think the first sign of a bad thermostat would be a higher temp in a shorter amount of time.
I don't know about the DIY on these cars (I'm still new to Benz) but other cars is really easy to do (change thermostat).
Funny you mention this... I noticed the other day mine is taking longer to reach
the normal operating temp. I just figured since it's cooler out, that's the cause of it. I think it takes an extra 10-15 minutes to reach what I'm used to seeing on the gauge. I think you're ok. Also, I would think the first sign of a bad thermostat would be a higher temp in a shorter amount of time.
I don't know about the DIY on these cars (I'm still new to Benz) but other cars is really easy to do (change thermostat).
11-25-2004, 11:18 PM
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2006 smart cdi
Hey GDawgC220,
I had the same problem on my 94 C280 last year. I changed the thermostat, and the temp sensor, no help. Then I noticed a sticky looking goo on the indicator' needle, that seemed to stick to the bottom post on the gage. I did an archive search on this and other w202 sites, and found out this is a relatively common problem on several MB models of the mid-90's. Some offered a solution of "simply" removing the instrument pnl, cleaning the needle, and repainting it, doing both the temp gage and the fuel qty gage, while you are at it... I did get a DIY procedure to fix this problem from an mb list I subscribe to. I never had to use it, but I saved it, JIC. If you'd like to have it, I'll dig for it.
In my case, oddly enough, I watched the goo droplet work its way past the power off post, where it was keeping the needle stuck. It is now at the very end of the needle, and the needle moves freely to its normal range of about 80c. Of course, I am the only one who seems to have noticed this. My wife and eldest daughter, who are both occasional drivers, never noticed anything wrong anyway
Take care,
I had the same problem on my 94 C280 last year. I changed the thermostat, and the temp sensor, no help. Then I noticed a sticky looking goo on the indicator' needle, that seemed to stick to the bottom post on the gage. I did an archive search on this and other w202 sites, and found out this is a relatively common problem on several MB models of the mid-90's. Some offered a solution of "simply" removing the instrument pnl, cleaning the needle, and repainting it, doing both the temp gage and the fuel qty gage, while you are at it... I did get a DIY procedure to fix this problem from an mb list I subscribe to. I never had to use it, but I saved it, JIC. If you'd like to have it, I'll dig for it.
In my case, oddly enough, I watched the goo droplet work its way past the power off post, where it was keeping the needle stuck. It is now at the very end of the needle, and the needle moves freely to its normal range of about 80c. Of course, I am the only one who seems to have noticed this. My wife and eldest daughter, who are both occasional drivers, never noticed anything wrong anyway
Take care,
12-27-2004, 12:32 PM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
hey guys,
just got around to calling the dealership on the part info. I told the guy what was going on and he said it's the "coolant sending unit"...now is this the same as that part your describing, where the upper radiator hose goes into?
The part is $24...
thanks!
just got around to calling the dealership on the part info. I told the guy what was going on and he said it's the "coolant sending unit"...now is this the same as that part your describing, where the upper radiator hose goes into?
The part is $24...
thanks!
12-30-2004, 01:06 AM
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2006 smart cdi
Yes, GDawg
I think MB calls it a "coolant temp sending unit". It's a five minute job. With the engine cold, you just unplug the wires, unscrew the old one from the thermostat housing and screw in the new one. Reattach the wires, and you are done. It did not fix my problem, but it may fix yours... See my previous entry to see what was wrong with mine...
Take care,
I think MB calls it a "coolant temp sending unit". It's a five minute job. With the engine cold, you just unplug the wires, unscrew the old one from the thermostat housing and screw in the new one. Reattach the wires, and you are done. It did not fix my problem, but it may fix yours... See my previous entry to see what was wrong with mine...
Take care,
12-30-2004, 07:13 AM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Swapped out the part last night and did a coolant flush as well since I had to drain the coolant to prevent making a mess because those hoses are filled with coolant. If anyone wants me to do a write up on how to flush the coolant, let me know and I'll write it up.
The job took me 2.5 hours (first timer :-p) and total cost was about $60, versus what the dealer wanted, $150. So I saved about $100, not bad at all.
After putting everything back together, took it for a drive and now the temp is 80 and above! So I think it did fix it but will keep an eye on it over the next few days and see how the car warms up comparing to before changing out the thermostat.
The job took me 2.5 hours (first timer :-p) and total cost was about $60, versus what the dealer wanted, $150. So I saved about $100, not bad at all.
After putting everything back together, took it for a drive and now the temp is 80 and above! So I think it did fix it but will keep an eye on it over the next few days and see how the car warms up comparing to before changing out the thermostat.
