Think it's getting near time to pension this car off and find a newer one!

Last few weeks I have noticed that the temp gauge is taking ages to reach 90. I can drive the 5 miles to work and it still hasn't got beyond half way. The deisel heater light is performing correctly, and the gauge does get there eventually so I don't think its the temp sender.

This all suggest a typical thermostat failure to me. Do people agree? If so, how much are they and how easy to replace?

Tom

Can't say for a diesel other than it does sound like a thermostat issue.

The vrs one is about 12 quid IIRC and is quite easy to change

Its a fiddly job on the petrol models. Would suggest getting a genuine part as a pattern one from GSF went wrong for me after 6 months. Genuine one been in for 2 years without issues.

As your car is diesel and given the time of year, I would say 5 miles in nowhere near enough to get the temperature gauge to show anywhere near the middle. My previous Superb diesel would take around 12 miles to reach 90. Don't forget that running the interior fans help to reduce the engine temp as well since the heater matrix is just like the radiator at the front.

Fair point, has this scenario been tested before?

My Octavia diesel has taken much longer than normal to attain temperature this last few weeks because it has been much colder.

4 miles in the summer, 6 to 8 miles just now! Even this can be extended if in slow moving traffic.

Using the heater inhibits the vehicle reaching its operating temperature big time.

Cheers, Terry

Edited 17 December, 201213 yr by scotsgent

My temp sensor used to be all over the place some time just not even working after 30mins down the m4 mine problem turn out to be the temp sender the one with the green cap. But yours is working Shouldnt cost to much to replace the thermostat and just replace the coolant while your at it and all your issue should be sorted.

Well with temperatures reported at a tropical 5 yesterday and today I didn't bother with the heater and over the 5 miles to work the car very nearly reached running temp.

So I guess as you good folk summised that with the cold temps and the blowers on that was the issue.

Why are diesels so much slower to heat up?

Tom