Leon 130 TDI not reaching optimum temperature

[philiplgbennett]

I've had a problem with my 130 TDI temp gauge not moving above 60 (ie not moving at all) under most driving conditions.
I took it to the local garage and they have replaced the thermostat, red coolant, temperature sensor and water pump (along with cambelt).

After all that (the usual), the only way I can get the temp dial on the dash to move is do 70mph / 2k revs for a decent distance along the motorway. As soon as I slow down, the temp drops. I've not heard the fans kick in for months and the fuel economy has dropped through the floor as it's never getting hot.

Garage said some of the pipes aren't even getting hot until they give it a really fast idle.

I've seen on other forums that it could be the brand / make / model of thermostat causing this and to use specific German / Vag thermostats ?

It's an 04 plate car so I don't want to take it to a specialist, any ideas would be welcome to get her hot and economical again.

cheers, Phil

We replaced the temperature sensor due to it not functioning even when stationary on a fast idle and the engine hot, after replacing the sensor it showed temperature change however on road test the temperature went back down indicating the thermostat is possible stuck open and not maintaining engine temperature, as advised and quoted we would recommend this to be done as this is the only component that regulates engine temperature.
Hope this makes sense, unless the temperature gauge doesn’t move at all anymore even when stationary on a fast idle it may have a bad sensor?

 

[300bhpdaily]

Does the heating blow hot?

 

[philiplgbennett]

Does the heating blow hot?

Yeah the heater works. I have the blower going on the windscreen quite a lot as it mists up in there.

 

[Thai-wronghorse]

From experience when it comes to replacing thermostats and coolant temperature sensors it's best to stick to genuine VAG parts as aftermarket ones are notoriously shite.


Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[Rich.T]

My momey (if i had any) is on the stat.

 

[philiplgbennett]

My momey (if i had any) is on the stat.

That's a pain, they only replaced it two weeks ago. I'll ask if it was a genuine part or not. The invoice has it down as £12 + vat for the part.

I can't tell you how much I've spent on this car in the last six months and it's done 245k, should be retired by now ...

 

[MoToJoJo]

It's done 245k, should be retired by now ...

Just about run in then, good for plenty more.

As for the stat, £12 means non genuine

 

[Rich.T]

I can't tell you how much I've spent on this car in the last six months and it's done 245k, should be retired by now ...

You dont need to mate.
We all have the same financial drain

 

[philiplgbennett]

Just about run in then, good for plenty more.

As for the stat, £12 means non genuine

What's a genuine one cost ? my reg is OU04 NXY if that helps

 

[philiplgbennett]

You dont need to mate.
We all have the same financial drain

Mine isn't even a fancy one..... had a new clutch last year, cambelt and water pump this year, new rear shocks, wheel bearings, i can't even list the rest.... she's not even worth what it cost to get the cambelt done... I do love it though. The only thing that's a slight concern is whiny gearbox but it changes gear smoothly and still drives ok for the age and miles.

 

[MoToJoJo]

What's a genuine one cost ? my reg is OU04 NXY if that helps

Iirc it was north of £40

 

[BigJase88]

I would say thermostat

I fitted a cheap Circoli one to a 320d years ago. It lasted all of a couple of weeks

Buy genuine

 

[Thai-wronghorse]

I despise Circoli parts, I'll never forget having to change the water pump on one of mk3 Golfs 3 bloody times in about 2 months as the poxy things kept falling apart or leaking.

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[Alexis27]

Remember OEM genuine parts are usually manufactured by other companies, such as Bosch. VAG haven't built a thermostat factory for themselves. So if you can find an aftermarket one that works you're laughing.

Febi Bilstein coolant sensors work fine:

febi bilstein 32510 Coolant Temperature Sensor with seal and retaining spring, pack of one : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy febi bilstein 32510 Coolant Temperature Sensor with seal and retaining spring, pack of one at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Meyle thermostats work fine:

MEYLE Quality Thermostat & Seal 050121113C for VW Audi Seat Skoda 1.6, 1.8, 1.8T 4040074405581 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MEYLE Quality Thermostat & Seal 050121113C for VW Audi Seat Skoda 1.6, 1.8, 1.8T at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Both have been in my car for over 2 years. Febi Bilstein is definitely an OEM manufacturer for coolant sensors - I suspect plenty of VWs have left the factory with them installed.

If you want direct from Seat though look here:

Mk1 1999 - 2005 - SEAT Direct Parts - Delivered Direct to you

Mk1 1999 - 2005 - SEAT Direct Parts - SEAT Parts - Genuine SEAT Parts - Genuine SEAT Parts and Accessories - Cheaper Than Main Dealers

seatdirectparts.co.uk

 

[R3k1355]

Remember OEM genuine parts are usually manufactured by other companies, such as Bosch. VAG haven't built a thermostat factory for themselves. So if you can find an aftermarket one that works you're laughing.

Febi Bilstein coolant sensors work fine:

febi bilstein 32510 Coolant Temperature Sensor with seal and retaining spring, pack of one : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy febi bilstein 32510 Coolant Temperature Sensor with seal and retaining spring, pack of one at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Meyle thermostats work fine:

MEYLE Quality Thermostat & Seal 050121113C for VW Audi Seat Skoda 1.6, 1.8, 1.8T 4040074405581 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MEYLE Quality Thermostat & Seal 050121113C for VW Audi Seat Skoda 1.6, 1.8, 1.8T at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Both have been in my car for over 2 years. Febi Bilstein is definitely an OEM manufacturer for coolant sensors - I suspect plenty of VWs have left the factory with them installed.

If you want direct from Seat though look here:

Mk1 1999 - 2005 - SEAT Direct Parts - Delivered Direct to you

Mk1 1999 - 2005 - SEAT Direct Parts - SEAT Parts - Genuine SEAT Parts - Genuine SEAT Parts and Accessories - Cheaper Than Main Dealers

seatdirectparts.co.uk

If you can find em you're laughing, as you say they VAG don't make these things themselves and often it's little more than the same part shoved in a box with a Seat logo on instead of Febi.

Stuff is usually mega cheap through AutoDoc, shipping can take a while sometimes tho.

 

[BigJase88]

If you can find em you're laughing, as you say they VAG don't make these things themselves and often it's little more than the same part shoved in a box with a Seat logo on instead of Febi.

Stuff is usually mega cheap through AutoDoc, shipping can take a while sometimes tho.

Is autodoc not Germany?

So could now facei mport taxes due to Brexit. Just a thought

 

[Alexis27]

Should be fine if you keep it under £45.

LLL Parts will also send you genuine parts via Lithuania.

 

[philiplgbennett]

So here's an update. Drove it at 60mph in 5th to get the temperature up and the needle did move but only to 70 Deg or so. Decided to switch the heater off (I have it on all the time) and the needle gradually went up to nearly 90.... I'm going to drive back at normal speeds in 6th...

Does that give any clues ?

 

[BigJase88]

Still the thermostat

Bet my house on it

 

[smutts]

The thermostat contains a tiny piece of rubber.
That rubber will be made in PRC.
There is the problem.