dubbed
16-11-2008, 01:34 PM
Hey kids,
In the past month my car failed to kick over, it was rare but it did happen. I'd usually just turn the key again and it would fire up. However it began doing it on Friday a few times and even after trying to turn it over again it still wouldn't start which meant it was getting worse. I decided it needed to visit Volkspower but Dean and the crew were busy until Monday. I casually mentioned my problem and he said it's probably a sensor failure and they'd replace them as the first point of trouble-shooting. My last VAGCOM scan produced a coolant sensor error which I was meaning to replace (I wanted to buy one from the States to save money). Well I needed one then and there so I thought stuff it and just bought one off Dean for $63! Just for your information these were available in the US a year or two ago for USD$4!!
I found a nice little tutorial on Vortex and let my car cool for a few hours before attempting to change it. From the photos in the tutorial I thought the sensor was in the block and for the life of me I couldn't see it. Low and behold the little bugger is right in front of my face (in one of the hoses if I remember correctly). It took about five minutes to replace and I lost no coolant at all. An easy job for once. I will find the tutorial if anyone is interested.
Now the car starts first time, every time and slightly feels better in terms of smoothness. Most enthusiasts will know that Audi/VW had a big problem with these sensors and should have been replaced by now (the new one is green in colour). From reading Vortex they can cause a number of problems including poorer fuel economy. I will let you all know if there's a change in economy.
I've spent more time typing this post than it took to change the sensor over! It really is that easy, so novices rejoice! Basically the point of this thread is to let others know to update their coolant sensor if it's not the (newer) green type as it will help the car run closer to optimum. You should consider buying from the States as they are about USD$13-20 and would be very worthwhile in my opinion.
In the past month my car failed to kick over, it was rare but it did happen. I'd usually just turn the key again and it would fire up. However it began doing it on Friday a few times and even after trying to turn it over again it still wouldn't start which meant it was getting worse. I decided it needed to visit Volkspower but Dean and the crew were busy until Monday. I casually mentioned my problem and he said it's probably a sensor failure and they'd replace them as the first point of trouble-shooting. My last VAGCOM scan produced a coolant sensor error which I was meaning to replace (I wanted to buy one from the States to save money). Well I needed one then and there so I thought stuff it and just bought one off Dean for $63! Just for your information these were available in the US a year or two ago for USD$4!!
I found a nice little tutorial on Vortex and let my car cool for a few hours before attempting to change it. From the photos in the tutorial I thought the sensor was in the block and for the life of me I couldn't see it. Low and behold the little bugger is right in front of my face (in one of the hoses if I remember correctly). It took about five minutes to replace and I lost no coolant at all. An easy job for once. I will find the tutorial if anyone is interested.
Now the car starts first time, every time and slightly feels better in terms of smoothness. Most enthusiasts will know that Audi/VW had a big problem with these sensors and should have been replaced by now (the new one is green in colour). From reading Vortex they can cause a number of problems including poorer fuel economy. I will let you all know if there's a change in economy.
I've spent more time typing this post than it took to change the sensor over! It really is that easy, so novices rejoice! Basically the point of this thread is to let others know to update their coolant sensor if it's not the (newer) green type as it will help the car run closer to optimum. You should consider buying from the States as they are about USD$13-20 and would be very worthwhile in my opinion.