Geetings all

I have a 2001 1.6 Golf and have recently had a major service performed - including timing belt change, all the filters, drive belt, spark plugs, water pump- ever since it has developed one brand new problem after another in quick succession - the latest being...

When the car is actually in motion the engine temp gauge reads approx 75 degrees - when I am stationary it moves back to a normal 90 degrees. As soon as I start moving again, back down it goes to 75 degrees or so.

Is this as simple as a busted thermostat? Or am I more likely to have a dodgy temp sensor?

Any help much appreciated guys.

Cheers!

SOunds like the thermostat is jammed open.

Does it take a while to get upto temperature?

watercooled cars generally take 5 mins to get upto operating temp.

Hi there Joel,

Thankls for the reply. Yes, it takes quite a while to even get up to 70 / 75 degrees. Actually it probably went down to close to 65 degrees when I was driving at speed last night.

I'll replace the thermostat this weekend and see if this fixes it. I am assuming that if it was a temperture sensor playing up then the readings would probably be more erratic.

Thanks for your help.

Most shops that do a decent job of timing belt replacement fit a new thermostat while everything's apart.

You may have got a dud one that is stuck open,
half your luck, usually they stick shut.

Thanks guys - replaced the thermostat myself and after some mucking around with a tiny leak (fixed with some loctite gasket maker - much thanx to Lee for his help on that aswell) all is good. Apart from I've just noticed a slight smell of petrol in the cabin tonight when the air conditioning is on - I suspect split breather pipe or similar under bonnet somewhere - will have a look at the weekend and start a new thread for help if I need it!

Thanks again chaps.