Gotrubberucky

I'm having difficulty trying to figure out exactly what is wrong with my car. it is a 2001 A8L 130,000k
The other day i was driving and the temperature sensor maxed out completely. i let the car sit to cool down then got it home.
Coolant is full and does not leak, did the oil cooler not too long ago. fuses for the fans are all working, and the upper radiator hose is hot when the car is running at temp.
one thing i have yet to check is the fan clutch, will do that tomorrow, and update(also, not quite sure when both fans are supposed to be spinning because the electric one has yet to run since I've had the problem). but if anyone else has ANY other ideas please don't hesitate.
Thanks in advance.

silverd2

Only the obvious...the thermostat...no one ever wants that, but it's always the most likely cause in an A8. I'm on my third one in 100K miles.
Checking radiator hoses is not very scientific...heat reaches everywhere, even thru standing water.
If you believe that it was that hot, then the temp sensor is probably correct. Overheating will not make you lose coolant if all is sealed...maybe just a little out cap when peaked, but not necessarily.
Fans would have to be pretty much gone to cause it, if the car is moving at decent speed, no fan at all wouldn't peg the needle.
If it cools slightly at higher rpm and/or you can cool it down some running heater on high w/high fan, it's likely the thermostat.