A3 Cooling Down Whilst Driving

kmistry · 03-12-2005, 03:21 PM

Hey guys, im new to the site.

Im hoping someone will be able to help me.

For about 2 weeks the car has been cooling down whilst i do town driving (20-40mph). Yesterday it went down to 75 degrees in a matter of minutes of casual driving. It usually only goes down to about 80 degrees and it takes about 5 mins to get back to 90 degrees. The car never overheats. Took it to Audi yesterday and said it could be the water pump. However he mentioned that the pump gave a "good return." No faults on the diagnostics were found. On idle, the temperature was fine, approx 90-95 degrees on the computer.

He recommended to change the water pump along with the cambelt. (at a cost of £700!!!)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks!

A3 KID · 03-13-2005, 08:29 AM

mine does this can not see a problem with it may just be the cold outside air

kmistry · 03-13-2005, 10:47 AM

I thought it was that too but there has been no problems like this in the 2 years i have owned the car. Reading a few posts on several sites is pointing me to the thermostsat. Today i took it on the motorway and the temp was fluctuating between 80-90 degrees and only went to 90 once i was stuck in town traffic.

Car is 6 years old now (1999) and i am going to get cambelt changed so will probably get the water pump and thermostat changed too. I really want to keep the car for a good few years. Hope this works!!

Let me know if you find a solution. I will also let you know how i get on.

Cheers

shaun · 03-16-2005, 10:44 AM

*I had a overheating problem with my a3, which turned out to be the water pump. a couple of the impellors had broken off the pump so it wasnt getting coolant thru the system too well, leaving me without a heater and an overheated engine! Wouldnt have thort it'd have been a dodgy water pump in your case tho...

*As a3 kid said, might just be something in the air!
*If the temp is below norm with the rad fan blowing when stationary, might be worth changing the fan switch.
*Have heard that a common fault with a3's is faulty temperature senders, so again might be worth checking out.
*One way of checking the stat is to take it out completely. it'll take a little longer to warm up, but if the problem persists, you know its not that and you wouldnt have wasted any dollar on a new one.

shaun · 03-16-2005, 10:46 AM

P.S, £700 sounds alittle steep for that, i had cambelt and pump replaced for just under £200... (not at audi!)

kmistry · 03-20-2005, 06:36 AM

Thank you Shaun. I was a bit confused when they mentioned water pump too, as this helps cool the car. If anything its cooling too well! Will try your suggerstions. The last few days of lovely spring weather, she hasn't been playing up as much. I contacted a garage who quoted me £230 to get cam and water pump changed!! Will get then to test the thermostat too. Not going to Audi again!

A friend of mine had the same problem as you with the impellers on fan breaking and the car overheating. He drives a BMW and was able to replace it with a metal version which will never break.

Any ideas if audi produce a similar fan??

A31.8Turbo · 04-07-2005, 04:46 AM

Well it could just be the gold out side temperature. I know with my big front mounted intercooler the water temp drops to about 75 and when I come to a stand still it climes up to 90 again.

But your theory of the thermostat might be right. It could be opening to soon and that is why the car does not come up to temperature but then it should stay there and not go back up to 90

henriv · 05-30-2006, 04:01 AM

Hi
My A3 1.8 STD started doing the same thing (floating between 75 and 90 degrees) a couple of months ago, after 6 years. It used to be rock solid on 90.
This started happening in summer here in South Africa. This tells me it cannot be the air temperature.

* Or maybe global warming/cooling is starting to show it's face on my dashboard :P *

I will update you guys once I've had the car for a service to see what they say.

chris blackburn · 05-31-2006, 10:26 AM

I have had this problem with my A3 1.9 TDI and a recharge of the aircon sytem cured the problem. What happened was because the sytem was low in refridgerant, the cooling fan came on to cool it but also cooled the engine radiator. Also happened on my A4 1.9 TDI and a the engine temperature sensor was faulty (after I had the aircon recharged!!)

dannyboy29 · 06-01-2006, 11:24 AM

could also be a failing thermostat?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-12-2005, 03:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
kmistry Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Gallery: (0)	Hey guys, im new to the site. Im hoping someone will be able to help me. For about 2 weeks the car has been cooling down whilst i do town driving (20-40mph). Yesterday it went down to 75 degrees in a matter of minutes of casual driving. It usually only goes down to about 80 degrees and it takes about 5 mins to get back to 90 degrees. The car never overheats. Took it to Audi yesterday and said it could be the water pump. However he mentioned that the pump gave a "good return." No faults on the diagnostics were found. On idle, the temperature was fine, approx 90-95 degrees on the computer. He recommended to change the water pump along with the cambelt. (at a cost of £700!!!) Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Audi Forum Advertisement

03-13-2005, 08:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
A3 KID Senior Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 272 Gallery: (0)	mine does this can not see a problem with it may just be the cold outside air

03-13-2005, 10:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
kmistry Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Gallery: (0)	I thought it was that too but there has been no problems like this in the 2 years i have owned the car. Reading a few posts on several sites is pointing me to the thermostsat. Today i took it on the motorway and the temp was fluctuating between 80-90 degrees and only went to 90 once i was stuck in town traffic. Car is 6 years old now (1999) and i am going to get cambelt changed so will probably get the water pump and thermostat changed too. I really want to keep the car for a good few years. Hope this works!! Let me know if you find a solution. I will also let you know how i get on. Cheers

03-16-2005, 10:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
shaun Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 8 Gallery: (0)	I had a overheating problem with my a3, which turned out to be the water pump. a couple of the impellors had broken off the pump so it wasnt getting coolant thru the system too well, leaving me without a heater and an overheated engine! Wouldnt have thort it'd have been a dodgy water pump in your case tho... As a3 kid said, might just be something in the air! If the temp is below norm with the rad fan blowing when stationary, might be worth changing the fan switch. Have heard that a common fault with a3's is faulty temperature senders, so again might be worth checking out. *One way of checking the stat is to take it out completely. it'll take a little longer to warm up, but if the problem persists, you know its not that and you wouldnt have wasted any dollar on a new one.

03-16-2005, 10:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
shaun Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 8 Gallery: (0)	P.S, £700 sounds alittle steep for that, i had cambelt and pump replaced for just under £200... (not at audi!)

03-20-2005, 06:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
kmistry Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Gallery: (0)	Thank you Shaun. I was a bit confused when they mentioned water pump too, as this helps cool the car. If anything its cooling too well! Will try your suggerstions. The last few days of lovely spring weather, she hasn't been playing up as much. I contacted a garage who quoted me £230 to get cam and water pump changed!! Will get then to test the thermostat too. Not going to Audi again! A friend of mine had the same problem as you with the impellers on fan breaking and the car overheating. He drives a BMW and was able to replace it with a metal version which will never break. Any ideas if audi produce a similar fan??

04-07-2005, 04:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
A31.8Turbo Newbie Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6 Gallery: (0)	Well it could just be the gold out side temperature. I know with my big front mounted intercooler the water temp drops to about 75 and when I come to a stand still it climes up to 90 again. But your theory of the thermostat might be right. It could be opening to soon and that is why the car does not come up to temperature but then it should stay there and not go back up to 90

05-30-2006, 04:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
henriv Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Gallery: (0)	Hi My A3 1.8 STD started doing the same thing (floating between 75 and 90 degrees) a couple of months ago, after 6 years. It used to be rock solid on 90. This started happening in summer here in South Africa. This tells me it cannot be the air temperature. * Or maybe global warming/cooling is starting to show it's face on my dashboard :P * I will update you guys once I've had the car for a service to see what they say.

05-31-2006, 10:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
chris blackburn Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2 Gallery: (0)	I have had this problem with my A3 1.9 TDI and a recharge of the aircon sytem cured the problem. What happened was because the sytem was low in refridgerant, the cooling fan came on to cool it but also cooled the engine radiator. Also happened on my A4 1.9 TDI and a the engine temperature sensor was faulty (after I had the aircon recharged!!)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

06-01-2006, 11:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
dannyboy29 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 45 Gallery: (0)	could also be a failing thermostat?