zak8957

Hi,

I've got an A4 2002 1.8T CVT with 54k miles. For a few days now the coolant temperature warning comes up when I accelerate hard. If I don't I can go for 20 minutes at 65 mph and the temperature gauge stays on the center mark. If I hit the gas and go from 65 to 80, coolant temp jumps to red within 5 seconds. If I step off the gas and go down to 50mph, it moves back to center mark in about 15 sec. I checked my coolant level, was still pretty full, I topped it off, but no change.

This seems like a weird behavior, has anybody seen this? I can't imagine my entire coolant heats up in a matter of 5 seconds. Could this be a bad sensor or a bad pump? Anything with the turbo?

Thanks,
Zak

Merkin

something with the electric thermostat

Matt Devo

probably stuck partially open, or not opening 100%

1heartaudiworld

its like 100:1 at the dealer or any other repair shop.

Merkin

thats a good one, forgot about that, might as well do entire timing belt job with rollers/tstat

zak8957

Also, how much damage do I do driving around like this right now?

Thanks again,
Zak

Merkin

$350-375 in parts, 4-6 hours of labor

timing belt kit with metal water pump from ECS $240

or you can get seals and coolant with the kit for $270

thermostat from ECS $105, from 1stvwparts $95

1/4 scale

Here's the install as well as a pic of what your pump will look like. I'd do it very soon or else you risk plastic impeller parts in your engine (which could cause more significant damage).<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng99.shtml">TB and H2O pump install</a></li></ul>

1heartaudiworld

I skimmed that link real quick to the job. Only suggestion would make is just slide the lock carrier forward, don't waste the time taking it off and swinging it to the side like that... to much risk of damaging or leaving off other connections to take it off like that.

TT is actually probably the worst of the 1.8ts.