Hi all,

 

I’ve noticed on my 2011 Tdi VRS that the temperature gauge on the dash (analogue one) is pretty slow at getting to 90.

 

In the winter it takes a good 15-20 mins to get up to temp but now in the summer even with temp of 20 degrees it’s still taking 10 mins at least.

 

I've had this with other cars before and I’m sure it’s the coolant sensor?

 

can anyone give me the part numbers I need - it’ll be having a service at the end of the month and I want to get this done before a rollback and remap.

 

thanks 

Diesels are very slow to heat the coolant because of their increased operating efficiency, you may also have a thermostat that is not fully closing, foreign body on the seat etc, I doubt its the coolant temp sensor although they do fail often but not with your symptoms.

 

Happy to learn otherwise.

Once reached 90, does it remain steady?

 

If eg the thermostat fails, the coolant is sometimes constantly diverted through the radiator. (I had this myself). I was able to verify this, when I wasn't driving the temp was about 90 degrees, but when turning on the internal heater to the max, the coolant temperature dropped (And turning off the heating while idling it raised back to 90 eventually) Also, when I did turn on the AC (so the fans would spin and cool also the radiator) I saw the temperature dropping

 

I'd try testing with the engine on 90 degrees, idling the car and run the AC or heating on max cooling (or max heating) for a few minutes and see if there is any difference in the temperature

Edited 4 July, 20196 yr by DJSmiley

Yeah it doesn’t seem to drop at the needle once it’s at 90.

 

We also have a seat Leon tdi 140bhp but on a 57 reg and that heats up a lot quicker!

 

ill give the tip of idling the car and seeing the temp first. 

sounds about normal - but this is all dependant on what load the engine is under.  mine gets to 90 on the coolant in about 7 minutes on 40-50mph roads.

 

20 minutes in the winter seems a bit excessive, but I guess that's dependant on where you are / temps - have you actually timed it ?  have you gone through maxidot and checked your oil temp (if it's enabled)

20 minutes in an icy winter is what my car needs in urban situations with stop start traffic. This time of year it takes between five and ten minutes from a cold start. Taking it down a fast straight road at 50-60 mph it warms up in five minutes or less at this time of year. These times have not changed in the four years I have had the car.

 

So either our situation is normal or we both need a new thermostat. I suspect it is normal.