In the process of adding a new MUD console with VDO Voltmeter, Boost, Oil Pressure and Water temperature gauges. Got the Voltmeter and Water temp gauges working (run out of time on Saturday for the other two). Went for a test run, voltmeter sat happily at 14V but water temp wouldnt get past about 78 Degrees (300TDI has an 88 degree thermostat as standard) even after a blast(ish) around the ring road. As my original temp gauge used to read ok (just left of centre) I assumed I had an installation issue with the new gauge. I had a bit of time on Sunday I thought I would do a quick bit of diagnosis. After another blast I measured the temperature at the sensor (on the stat housing) with my IR sensor, registered about 74 degrees. Measured the resistance of the sender (matching VDO) and it was 98 ohms. A quick check on VDOs website showed that 98 ohms equated to about 70 degrees so appeared to match the measured temperature. Website also showed that for 90 degrees (normal operating temperature) the sender would be reading close to 50 ohms. Tried a 50 ohm resistor in place of the temp sender, started engine and the meter went straight to 90 degrees. So Id proved the sender was reading right, the meter was reading right and the actual water temp was 78 degrees even though the original gauge appeared to read ok. Went and bought a new thermostat (genuine) and whipped the old one out, tried them both in a pan of water and original one opened at 78 and the new one at 88. Fitted the new one, bled the system and went for test drive. What do you know, temp gauge reading 90 degrees and also vast improvement in heater due to hotter water. Moral of the story dont trust you standard temp gauge as you could easily be running cool, £10 for new thermostat and heater now working better than ever!
A heater that does
- Thread starter Kwakerman
- Start date
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martindilligaf
Member
- Posts
- 29
- Location
- King's Lynn, Norfolk
I think I may have to change my thermostat just to see if my icebox warms up. LOL
ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90
Active Member
- Posts
- 953
Couldn't agree more with this thread. Exactly the same happened to me. Was very disappointed with the heater. Coolant flush and stat change now makes the heater as good as any other car. Yes literally!
