Overheating
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AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Nov 2008
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Overheating
Hello everyone,
I have a 96 a4 quattro 2.8 V6, 12 valve. Recently my temp gauge is going past the 12 noon position. First it would get to about 3/4 past and stay there, no matter how far i drove...now its getting hot enough that he warning light comes on. So i turn it off. If i leave it for about 45 minutes and restart the car, the temps is about noon again, but will take about 10 mintues for temp to start rising again.
I replaced the coolant temp sensor , made no difference.
Also the top rad hose is hot, and i do get heater from the car.
Doesn't seem to be any abnormal noise coming from the engine or the front of the car.
Any suggestions? Should i be thinking this is a thermostat?
Gary
I have a 96 a4 quattro 2.8 V6, 12 valve. Recently my temp gauge is going past the 12 noon position. First it would get to about 3/4 past and stay there, no matter how far i drove...now its getting hot enough that he warning light comes on. So i turn it off. If i leave it for about 45 minutes and restart the car, the temps is about noon again, but will take about 10 mintues for temp to start rising again.
I replaced the coolant temp sensor , made no difference.
Also the top rad hose is hot, and i do get heater from the car.
Doesn't seem to be any abnormal noise coming from the engine or the front of the car.
Any suggestions? Should i be thinking this is a thermostat?
Gary
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,138
Likes: 4
From: Redmond WA
Does it overheat in traffic or on the highway?
In traffic:
Thermostat or viscous cooling fan . Also your secondary electric cooling fan should also kick in to prevent the car overheating. The electric fan should be running all the time when the AC is on, when the engine is really hot the high speed setting on the electric fan should engage.
On the highway : Plastic Water pump impeller failure.
Bear in mind it's 13 year old Audi so any combination of the above is possible.
I chased a problem like this on my 96 A4. It was a combination of the thermostat and viscous clutch fan. The VW Passat V6 fan is the same and more easily available used (cheap).
In traffic:
Thermostat or viscous cooling fan . Also your secondary electric cooling fan should also kick in to prevent the car overheating. The electric fan should be running all the time when the AC is on, when the engine is really hot the high speed setting on the electric fan should engage.
On the highway : Plastic Water pump impeller failure.
Bear in mind it's 13 year old Audi so any combination of the above is possible.
I chased a problem like this on my 96 A4. It was a combination of the thermostat and viscous clutch fan. The VW Passat V6 fan is the same and more easily available used (cheap).
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
overheating
It seems to overheat regardless of wherei am driving..
The secondary fan does come on when it seems to get right up to high temp...both fans are working..
Likely a thermostat and water pump then...what kind of time does the dealer take to replace these? I am to busy to try it myself.
Thanks for the quick replies,
Gary
The secondary fan does come on when it seems to get right up to high temp...both fans are working..
Likely a thermostat and water pump then...what kind of time does the dealer take to replace these? I am to busy to try it myself.
Thanks for the quick replies,
Gary
Does it overheat in traffic or on the highway?
In traffic:
Thermostat or viscous cooling fan . Also your secondary electric cooling fan should also kick in to prevent the car overheating. The electric fan should be running all the time when the AC is on, when the engine is really hot the high speed setting on the electric fan should engage.
On the highway : Plastic Water pump impeller failure.
Bear in mind it's 13 year old Audi so any combination of the above is possible.
I chased a problem like this on my 96 A4. It was a combination of the thermostat and viscous clutch fan. The VW Passat V6 fan is the same and more easily available used (cheap).
In traffic:
Thermostat or viscous cooling fan . Also your secondary electric cooling fan should also kick in to prevent the car overheating. The electric fan should be running all the time when the AC is on, when the engine is really hot the high speed setting on the electric fan should engage.
On the highway : Plastic Water pump impeller failure.
Bear in mind it's 13 year old Audi so any combination of the above is possible.
I chased a problem like this on my 96 A4. It was a combination of the thermostat and viscous clutch fan. The VW Passat V6 fan is the same and more easily available used (cheap).
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,138
Likes: 4
From: Redmond WA
If your car is due for a timing belt change it might be worth doing.
How old is the radiator? I never had one fail on my A4, but recently had to replace one on my truck for similar reasons.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
2 quick and easy things to check, i had teh same problem, and as the other people have said its likely to be either your electric fan, or the thermostat. anyway, first turn on the ac and pop the hood check that the fan that is to your left as you look down is on, if it is not replace this. second really quick and simple check, have you topped up or had the coolant changed recently? if so you may have an air bubble so you need to burp the system, make sure the car is cool or be careful when you take the coolant cap off, turn the car on and wait to see if a big air bubble pops up, let it run for about 30 secs or until no more bubbles are present and then put teh cap on turn the car off. if neither of these work then speak to a garage.
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