Temperature gauge at 60 degrees

[Junumh]

Hi, I've just had my 2003 A6 2.5TDI for 2 days and noticed the temperature gauge on the dash always stays at a constant 60 degrees. There is no overheating and the car runs fine. I read up on other threads and it seems this is a common fault and was wondering if:

A - I shouldn’t worry about it
B - Get this fixed ASAP as it can be dangerous to not worry
C - Get it fixed when I notice the engine fan keeps coming on for overheating

Thanks in advance.
Love my A6!

[NickPicks]

It's most likely to be the thermostat has failed. There is a possibility that it's a faulty coolant temperature sensor, but thermostat is most likely.

The check this, block off about 75% of the radiator with a piece of cardboard and see if the engine comes up to temperature. If it does, it's the thermostat. If it doesn't, it's likely to be the temperature sensor (CTS).

I should worry about it. It's not going to cause a catastrophic failure, but if the engine is running cold, it'll use more fuel.

Now the unfortunate bit: If it's the CTS, I think the part is quite cheap and easy to fit. If it's the thermostat, then the part is reasonably cheap, but on the 2.5 tdis, it's hidden behind the cambelt, which most people say you need to remove completely to get to the stat. That makes it quite expensive.

[ceilidhalfie]

These engines need cambelts replacing (at most) every 80k miles. IGNORE AT YOUR PERIL! So if this job is coming up shortly, live with the current cooling problem till then and then replace thermostat, water pump along with the belts. If getting Audi to do the job, budget on £1000. Depending on mileage, additional aux belts, pulleys, idlers and tesilers may also need replacing.

Above may sound a lot, but if every thing else on the car is fine, you end up with a superb, sound car.

[Junumh]

First of all thank you both for your replies, much appreciated!

Well clearly owning a Toyota for the past 3 years was the biggest mistake of my life (needed refurb engine £1k)! Good car overall but I was never happy owning or driving it!

It is my fourth day owning this A6 2.5 TDI and what a peach of a car it is! Damn!
This, my second Audi (comparing to previous 1999 A4 1.8) is a Monster!

Turns out the temperature gauge is working just fine, I drove my car for about 45 minutes today and noticed the gauge sitting perfectly at the normal 90 degrees. These past few days I haven't really driven the car over 10 mins at a time, so that was probably the reason, I didn't drive long enough to let the engine warm up.

Thankfully cambelt was replaced by Audi 10k miles ago by previous owner, so I don't need to worry about it for a few years still.

Just stress free driving in the meantime (fingers-crossed).

Thanks again!

[Phutters]

...and then replace thermostat, water pump along with the belts. If getting Audi to do the job, budget on £1000.

It wouldn't be anything like that much.

Stafford Audi, for example, will do a six-pot cambelt, tensioner and water pump change for £499. Chuck in a thermostat and - assuming the OP can't find anyone nearer to do a price match - it would still make it worth a trip up there.

There's an awful lot to do in Stafford to fill a lazy day. There's a Boots, a Greggs, some public conveniences and a castle.

[MrAff]

It wouldn't be anything like that much.

Stafford Audi, for example, will do a six-pot cambelt, tensioner and water pump change for £499. Chuck in a thermostat and - assuming the OP can't find anyone nearer to do a price match - it would still make it worth a trip up there.

There's an awful lot to do in Stafford to fill a lazy day. There's a Boots, a Greggs, some public conveniences and a castle.

That's very cheap. I got a quote from Yeovil Audi a few months ago for just over £1100 for a cambelt and thermostat change and £900 for just the thermostat.

Cheapest indy around me was £900.

Ended up doing it myself.

[Phutters]

That's very cheap. I got a quote from Yeovil Audi a few months ago for just over £1100 for a cambelt and thermostat change and £900 for just the thermostat.

Cheapest indy around me was £900.

I've just picked myself up off the floor. The dealership prices are bad enough, but nine hundred notes at an independent?

Sheesh.

Just under two years ago I paid £640 at the independent I use, and that was for the entire cambelt malarkey and a new set of genuine front discs and pads.

Am I lucky, or are you unlucky?

I'm not surprised you did it yourself.

And for what it's worth, that Stafford Audi belt price was pulled off their website this morning.