IS It Broken

[B16BFR]

Hello Guys, am by far no mechanic but i've got a sneaky feeling that i need a new thermostat and possibly a drive shaft.....

The Temp gauge on the dash doesn't move, even on a 360 mile journey i did yesterday.... The water doesn't seem to be being pumped around the engine and the water is stone cold as well as the bottom pipe coming from it.....

Thats one problem.... The other is my driveshaft i "THINK". Basically when ever i turn left with the accelerator on i get a vibrating sort of noise coming from my near side front wheel base.

Any clues???? I do apologise bringing the reign of problems down on your all lol....

Benn

[Crasher]

A 2002 Passat 130 TDI Sport 6 speed in black built on the 23/10/2001.

You need a new coolant temp sender by the sound of it but this could be confirmed by a fault code read although it is also possible that the thermostat is stuck open.

Drive shaft outer CV clatter is a common problem on the 3B Passat, often due to a failed CV boot, we fit lots of them. Turn the wheel and have a look inside the wheel for grease sprayed everywhere.

[thomasthedog]

I have a similar problem that temp gauge takes an age to come off 'cold'. It may go up to normal temp but next time I look at it its reading 'cold' again! Heater only puts out mildly warm air and bottom waterpipe from T'stat only ever reaches lukewarm. I changed T'stat - no difference so I'm suspecting the water pump is not pumping and its purely convection heating supplying heater matrix. Bottom hose will only get hot when engine reaches about 88' and allows hot water to enter rad. Its possible you have an air lock, because if temp sensor is not immersed in water it cannot read. Could be worth flushing coolant system. Am planning to change pump this weekend to one with metal impeller. Will let you know what I find