temp gauge was being erratic going up and down very quicky so i guessed it was the coolant temp sensor. changed it and now although the needle doesnt fluctuate an ymore, it takes twice as long to get to temp,and it doesnt reach temp. settles just below 90.after driving today the temp was reading about 80 - 85 so after i stopped i opned bonnet and checked the rad hose from bottom of rad to thermostat/coolant pump and it was cold. i dont understand this as at first i thought the thermostat must be stuck open but feeling the cold rad would tell me its still closed unless the cooling is that efficient that it should be cold??. any thoughts. maybe the coolant temp sensor was at fault, bought it new.

Edited 24 February, 201214 yr by raikky

It could be a faulty new one mate! I'd be looking at the thermostat... What fault codes are coming up?

The temp sensors are known bad problems on these cars; perhaps you fixed a faulty sensor but also have a broken thermostat too?

i cant check for faults bought a new thermostat which i will change along witjh the coolant. is there anything else it could be?

Make sure you use the G12 Plus plus antifreeze. I'd get a hose pipe and flush the rad out from the bottom and top hose just to make sure there isn't any crap in it!...

The tdi's are a very efficient engine which means they take for ever to warm up

In your case I'd say your stat was stuck open slightly, so I'd change that.

If you get one from euro make sure they give you a Vw one an not a Volvo one, also get some wobble bars or uj joints to save you taking the alternator off. :)

i think my car needs g12. is it ok to use g12plus plus and as long as the engine and rad and flushed? ill buy some from vw. how much will i need.?

i know the tdis are very efficient you can see but one thing i forgot to say was before i changed the temp, usualy within 4 miles it would reach 90 degrees. hence why i thought the thermo must be ok and just the sensor needs chaning. i dunno if its possible but maybe the coolant sensor was masking a problem.

can someone tell me. if my stat was stuck open, then surely there would be some heat in the rad hose from bottom rad to thermostat. when i touch it after a long drive, its still cold. are the radiators that efficient in cooling or could it be something else.

thanks luke I've ordered some joints i thought bugga not the alternator hopefully i can reach that bottom bolt after i take rad hsoe off thermostat

i already bought the stat from euros. can i tell if its a volvo or vw one ?

Edited 25 February, 201214 yr by raikky

G12 Plus, plus(++) took over from G12 plus (+) so you'll be fine!... Sounds like the rad might be a little blocked up to me... Good flushing will sort it out! You'll need 3x1.5Ltr bottles of the pink coolant! Its concentrated stuff... :)

Edited 27 February, 201214 yr by Mistermena

i think my car needs g12. is it ok to use g12plus plus and as long as the engine and rad and flushed? ill buy some from vw. how much will i need.?

i know the tdis are very efficient you can see but one thing i forgot to say was before i changed the temp, usualy within 4 miles it would reach 90 degrees. hence why i thought the thermo must be ok and just the sensor needs chaning. i dunno if its possible but maybe the coolant sensor was masking a problem.

can someone tell me. if my stat was stuck open, then surely there would be some heat in the rad hose from bottom rad to thermostat. when i touch it after a long drive, its still cold. are the radiators that efficient in cooling or could it be something else.

thanks luke I've ordered some joints i thought bugga not the alternator hopefully i can reach that bottom bolt after i take rad hsoe off thermostat

i already bought the stat from euros. can i tell if its a volvo or vw one ?

Mine usually takes a good 6 -7 miles before it comes up to temp in this weather, but when my stat was stuck open slightly (and it was only very slight) it wouldn't come up to temp unless I was stuck in traffic.

And the Volvo one has a seal built in to it with a pin thing through the middle of the stat and the Vw one has the seal separate for some reason they list the Volvo one for mine.

Also was it a genuine sensor you fitted or a Micky mouse one

no idea i bought it off ebay for about 15 quid

Did you find the fix to this I know it's an old post but work an ask