Temperature gauge barely getting higher than 60 degrees

[Bradley Torrance]

Hi everyone, I’m a new member of this forum but I have owned my GTI for 1.5 years now and honestly.... I’ve had a lot of problems that I’ve fixed in this time.
However, I have now come across a new one, my temperature gauge barely lifts off of 50 degrees? Sometimes it may get to 60 but that’s about it...? No matter how long I drive for.
I changed the sensor a few days ago and it didn’t fix anything.
Thanks

[DBXdarkangel]

It will be the front thermostat. Get ready for a hefty garage bill unless you do it yourself.



https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Volkswagen_Golf_GTI_Mk_V/31-WATER-Replacing_Your_Thermostat/31-WATER-Replacing_Your_Thermostat.htm#

[Bradley Torrance]

Oh great hahaha

Doesn't look much fun

cheers mate a lot help!

[mjmallia]

That or it might also be worth removing and checking in a saucepan the inline thermostats as these caused me issues in the past and checked them first.......glad I did as the main thermostat was fine.

There is one inline one located from the turbo, near the alternator and below the dip stick area. This one would be my main suspect to check first.

If you have a DSG then this one is above the box and quite easy for access.

The inline stats cost about £30 from TPS the last I recall.

This may help.......but I clamped the hoses off above and below and removed without draining anything.....access is a little tight, but possible.
https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=78341.0

and they look like this:

[mjmallia]

They come apart and you can check #3 in a saucepan to see if it opens



Mine was faulty and with a new one the temp got up to 90 and sticks there now.

[brian_badonde]

I also had this issue and it was the thermostat as others have said. Got it changed by the garage when they did my timing belt, didn't cost a whole lot extra.

[Bradley Torrance]

Thanks guys,
It's a manual but yeah i will check that thermostat first then if its easier.

[mobbsmobbs]

I've got this issue aswell, getting the thermostat changed on Thursday £200. I have a feeling this is caused due to not being driven that often over the past year.

Sent from my SM-T865 using Tapatalk

[Bradley Torrance]

@mobbsmobbs yeah I think you could be right there! Cold weather and not giving the car much of a run

[LC5F]

If you go for a replacement main thermostat, ask for the coolant temperature sensor to get changed at the same time, it mounts into the thermostat housing and is nearly the same amount of work to install as the thermostat itself - it should be a part only cost as old one has to be moved into new thermostat.

I replaced my thermostat and after 6 months I had to replace the sensor to stop bad fuel consumption and fans running nearly constantly...
Kind of wish I could have told myself the above, fuel saving would have easily paid for the sensor!

If you are quick, inline thermostat can be swapped without loosing too much coolant.

[FatWelshBoy]

The rule of thumb I was told to go by is that if it is slow to reach temp its the inline, if it never reaches temp its the main thermostat.

[Octoparrot]

If you go for a replacement main thermostat, ask for the coolant temperature sensor to get changed at the same time, it mounts into the thermostat housing and is nearly the same amount of work to install as the thermostat itself - it should be a part only cost as old one has to be moved into new thermostat.

I replaced my thermostat and after 6 months I had to replace the sensor to stop bad fuel consumption and fans running nearly constantly...
Kind of wish I could have told myself the above, fuel saving would have easily paid for the sensor!

Good advice. 

If you are quick, inline thermostat can be swapped without loosing too much coolant.

[probedb]

I've got this issue aswell, getting the thermostat changed on Thursday £200. I have a feeling this is caused due to not being driven that often over the past year.

Sent from my SM-T865 using Tapatalk

It seems to be a fault of the thermostat itself, on my second engine, needing to change the thermostat again and the car is driven all the time.

[Rampage]

Hi guys,

I have a 2006 ED30 DSG. My problem is kind of the reverse...
If the car sits idling, it gets up to 90 degrees but if I drive down the motorway, it actually starts to go down. Sometimes to around 70 degrees, last week in freezing weather it actually went all the way back down to 50!

Any idea which thermostat is responsible for this odd behaviour?

Many thanks 

[Notch000]

its over cooling , your main stat is stuck open