Help for a newbie?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8
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Help for a newbie?
Hello everyone. I am new to this site and I recently picked up TT. I am hoping someone can give some advice. I did a search and could'nt find this issue - my car ('01 180 quattro - 85K no mods) started overheating, but only on the freeway. It doesn't seem to make much difference if the a/c is on or not (a/c blows warm when car overheats). When I get off the freeway, driving normal street speeds (30 - 35) or if I'm stopped the temp goes back to almost normal (1 tick to right of center). This is with the a/c on and blowing cold! When it overheated the computer showed the temp symbol so I'm not sure it would just be a guage issue? Any ideas? Anyone see this before? I would think that a car would be more likely to overheat on the street with the a/c on...
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 53,281
Likes: 2
Use the HVAC controls to doublecheck your temps...>
and rule out a cluster problem.
Press [Recirc] and [Up arrow] buttons together. Use left 'temp' control
Dial to 49. Press [Recirc] button again to display value. On average, normal operating temp is around 90 (degress C)
To return to HVAC controls back to normal, press [Recirc] and [Up arrow]
buttons together.
Display should return back to temperature control/display
Press [Recirc] and [Up arrow] buttons together. Use left 'temp' control
Dial to 49. Press [Recirc] button again to display value. On average, normal operating temp is around 90 (degress C)
To return to HVAC controls back to normal, press [Recirc] and [Up arrow]
buttons together.
Display should return back to temperature control/display
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,773
Likes: 302
Overheating occurs when airflow is highest but engine is under more load.
Symptoms would indicate inadequate coolant circulation. Could be thermostat, Could be contaminated radiator, but most likely is failing plastic water pump impeller.
If it has not been done yet, you will need to do a water pump--tensioner--- timing belt, service anyway as you are due. Budget $1000.00 or so for parts and labor. Diesel Geek is a good source for the parts.
BTW welcome to the site. Lots of good advice here. Kind of addictive if you are a gearhead.
If it has not been done yet, you will need to do a water pump--tensioner--- timing belt, service anyway as you are due. Budget $1000.00 or so for parts and labor. Diesel Geek is a good source for the parts.
BTW welcome to the site. Lots of good advice here. Kind of addictive if you are a gearhead.
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Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Sep 2008
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Re: Overheating occurs when airflow is highest but engine is under more load.
Thanks everyone for all the input. I checked the temp and at idle it is 90c. Driving on the freeway it was up to 115c and would drop back into the low 90's when I would stop. Sitting idleing the temp would go back to 90. When I got the car I took it to a dealership and had it serviced - I was told the timing belt didn't need to be replaced until 100k. All service was done at a delership regularly (all the documentation came with the car) so I felt pretty good about the condition (car looks new still). I live in Stockton, CA and there is a VW dealer but the closest Audi place is 30 minutes away. Anyone, by chance, know of a good Audi shop in Stockton? Nothing shows up ininternet search or in the phone book. I'm guessing I should just go ahead and have the timing belt, water pump, etc. done just to make sure.
Thanks so much again everyone.
Robert
Thanks so much again everyone.
Robert
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,112
Likes: 1
lots of timing belt and component related failures here at 60-70k miles
There's even a class action lawsuit settlement on it. If you're at 85k you are probably running on borrowed time. Already sounds like the water pump is on its way out.