I have noticed my car takes a long time to warm up sometimes and others it warms up quickly. I know in this weather the PDs take ages to warm up but im talking 10 miles at 40-60 mph and the gauge sits slightly below 90. Then if you drive it harder it will suddenly reach 90 and even go slightly to the right of it. Then will go down in temperature again when you drive gently and then back up and so on.

Is this a sign that the thermostat is on its way out or should i look at the ect sensor. It was only replaced 2 months ago but i didn't use a genuine vw replacement. its only since weather has got colder ive noticed these issues.

 

@clarendon462 Well, if you didn't use a genuine ECT sensor, then I honestly don't know for sure from the symptoms quoted.

 

How long from cold before you get hot air from the heater?

Just now, KenONeill said:

@clarendon462 Well, if you didn't use a genuine ECT sensor, then I honestly don't know for sure from the symptoms quoted.

 

How long from cold before you get hot air from the heater?

it depends, sometimes within a few miles, sometimes it seems to take 6-8 before it comes through nicely

This is exactly the same as my 1.4mpi. up, down, up, down then stable the up then down. If it was warm it stayed ok a little bit cold and all over the place. The answer was a complete new stat and housing. Drain, flush and new coolant and normal service resumed.  Here's a pic of the old stat. 

The thermal contraption arrived

 

 

Edited 13 November, 20178 yr by TMB

Its an absolute doddle to fit. Two nuts ( 13mm socket) and a couple of washers. I found it was easier to take the air filter box and tube off for access when flushing.  FYI the air filter hose clips are unnecessarily tight and if they slip on to the hose they will split it as they seem to be half the diameter when closed.

Thanks. I'm going to give it a good flush and put new antifreeze in it.

 

Last time I had them off I whacked my fingernail with one of those big air filter spring hose clips when it slipped out of the pliers. Not recommended. Haha

Edited 13 November, 20178 yr by TMB

Ive ordered a new stat too, hopefully it will come tomorrow and I can fit it. Different position on the VRS obviously but looks equally as easy to do.

Its had a coolant change recently so will see what comes out and decide whether to replace or not.

Heh I had the same problem, the new thermostat repaired the problem. I bought the WAHLER branded part.

The problem was that when I turned the hot air, the water temperatures fell.
Even though I got the dashboard to show the 90 reality VCDS shown was 78 !!

Now, after the changeover VCDS shows 93 so if you suspect and the instrument panel looks less than under 90 you should switch the thermostat if it has never been replaced ...

The Wahler branded part was 17 euros.

ASZ engine replacement was okay to do. I did not disconnect the alternator but the battery cable disconnect!

Did my thermostat yesterday. Very easy job. Coolant that came out was lovely and clean so didn't bother flushing.

Ive got the part ready to change - its a bilstein part with new housing and bolts etc. 

 

58 minutes ago, TMB said:

Did my thermostat yesterday. Very easy job. Coolant that came out was lovely and clean so didn't bother flushing.

 

Yep easy job. Glad it all went well.  

6 hours ago, TripleMcB said:

 

Yep easy job. Glad it all went well.  

 

Thanks.

 

I even set the 13mm nuts to exactly the right torque (20Nm)

Went to go and change my stat today and had 2 issues. Firstly, i realized they sent me the wrong housing, it was a straight one rather than angled. I thought oh well ill just reuse the old one.

The second issue was I couldnt get the old thermostat out. The housing came off but only after snapping the clips and leaving the stat in place. I couldnt remove it from the block was just stuck. Do i need to pry it out with a screwdriver or turn it?

Ive now put it back together as it was getting dark and I need the car tomorrow so will try get the correct part ordered ready for another go

Just prise it out.

I think the plastic housing/pipe should be 045121121A for yours.

Thanks, will try that next time i attempt it

I found that pn online so going to try ringing a dealer tomorrow to see if they have one and how much. They wanted £45 for a coolant sensor so not holding much hope that it will be less than £15

On 19.11.2017 at 20:54, TMB said:

I think the plastic housing/pipe should be 045121121A for yours.

 

I took a picture of my own part and it's just code 045121121A because I figured someone would ask for this part number!  100% correct!

Picked up my new housing today and fitted it to the car. Seems to be much better, car warmed up quicker and stuck at just under 90 degrees. Old stat seemed to not be closed properly even when cold so wondering if that might have been the issue.

Wondering if that will bring up my fuel economy too as 48mpg on a long careful run is the best I could get!

 

Got it done then, apart from parts issue all went well. Nice!

yes, in the end i removed the vacuum reservoir ball thing from the engine block which gave me loads of room to change the stat. Hoping for a trouble free winter with the car but i doubt it somehow.

3 hours ago, clarendon462 said:

Wondering if that will bring up my fuel economy too

Bound to, I think.

Just now, clarendon462 said:

yes, in the end i removed the vacuum reservoir ball thing from the engine block which gave me loads of room to change the stat. Hoping for a trouble free winter with the car but i doubt it somehow.

 You need more positive vibes. 

Just now, TripleMcB said:

 You need more positive vibes. 

 

He's a Skoda owner, what do you expect?

I was going to say if you've ever had a Jeep you'll know nothing is cheap, easy to fix or easy to get at.