Temp gauge problem still - can't find an answer

[Pakman]

Hi People!

i can't seem to find the exact symptoms of my fault so thought i would send it to the wise ones on here to hopefully help?

i had an erratic temp gauge in my car, sometimes staying at 60 for ages and then going up to 90, then dropping down to 60 etc - so i replaced the temp send sensor (the green sensor that clips in with a u clip and a rubber washer) and i thought it was fixed ,but tonight after a 50 mile round trip i found that my climate control was blowing out cool/warm air at 24 degrees setting and would normally be warmer and the temp gauge was doing its dance again?

I think they are related but i am not sure how. i have read that it might not be the thermostat but a CTS sensor but i would like some more definitive advise because i followed a thread about getting it fitted and it was for fitting my Temp sender gauge and i have already done this

i would love some input if you can spare it?

thanks

 

[LEE69]

Thermostat

 

[Pakman]

I saw some posts you had commented on Lee, but they didn't mention the cabin fan so thanks. so thats the next port of call?

i had a feeling it might have been but had to seek council with the gurus!! ha!

thank you

 

[LEE69]

No problem in asking you got the guide for changing it?

 

[Pakman]

No i havent.... was just wondering that. i changed the Temp send and it went quite badly and i lost a lot of coolant. someone on here said you could do it without losing coolant but i found the opposite happened!!!

if you have a part number that would be great but i am sure i can find it

great help; thanks

 

[LEE69]

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=16925102

Part number i just got mine from halfords, used in loads of cars

 

[Pakman]

Thanks Lee, i'll have a chat with Halfords then. just had a quick look.... seems well fiddly! i am prone to breaking things so i may seek advice from my anal friend who will have all the tools and bomb squad nerves! i am in a TDI so i am assuming it will be of a similar ilk?

 

[LEE69]

Yeah same place

 

[Pakman]

Cool... just looked on Halfords website and they don't stock mine. i'll look on Ebay perhaps or my local Auto factor.

 

[RDS1972]

I'm getting mine done with my MOT Monday, I don't have enough extensions for the sockets or a wobble socket, and by the time I've bought them, that would have pay for it to be done by my mate.
If that all goes well it's Map time

 

[Pakman]

I did look at the tools list and sigh! i think my mate will be able to help. is it really that buried?! i did skim the link but the engine didnt look much like mine, so until the sunlight comes and i can compare with my engine i don't want to pass judgement.

 

[RDS1972]

From memory, it's only two long extensions and a wobble socket or connector, but I dont have many tool outlets nearby which would mean mail order. They would cost me about £20 or so delivered, and I can get it done for about that. (Maybe £30 quid tops) The TDi one might be better.

 

[Pakman]

your logic is unflawed and as you say it is 6 of one and half a dozen of the other and will the tools be used again? i think i probably wouldn't - i will have a poke about tomorrow

 

[RDS1972]

Forgive me, but it's not "unflawed" (I think you meant flawed) as I'd have to buy the tools and then spend my own time doing it. I don't plan on doing this again to the leon, hence paying someone else the same or similar money and keeping my hands intact and clean. Good luck with it.

 

[Pakman]

No, i did mean, i completely agree with your logic as to buying tools. i won't be buying tools, that's for sure!!!

 

[deburgh999]

My temp gauge recently was dancing, up to 90 then down to 45 and up again so on, changed thermostat and no different, in end was hydronic tensioner had gone and cambelt was lose and very and I mean very worn, not tight on water pump, luckly caught before it snapped.

 

[Pakman]

Hi deburgh, is there an easy, quite visible way of seeing if it is the same for my vehicle? I've not poked around by the belts much recently so not 100% on how uncovered they are or what you can see or touch?
The fact that my climate control also seems affected does make me still want to err toward the stat, but I do also want to rule out your problem because it could be very costly if not spotted

 

[deburgh999]

Seat done my car but I think you can remove front drivers side wheel and inner arch which allows you to see cam cover, think once in clipped you can see how tight belt is, don't hold me to this as seat done mine but they showed me picture of my belt shredded and in prices at bottom of cover, worth the money for someone to look incase. Chris

 

[Pakman]

To those reading this in the future this might be of help to you if doing DIY http://m.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Timing-Belt-Tensioner-Is-Bad

thanks for the info deburgh

 

[offitmassive]

thermostat

+1.