I have a 2002 180hp 1.8 liter TT Quattro and i have been having promblems with overheating. I already gave it a radiator flush because the water in the water pump was brown and kept overheating my car. I put new coolant into it and it was fine until the next day. i drove it to work and it started to overheat but it only happends when i make a complete stop. Any suggestions. i think it might be the thermostat thats messing up.

 

How many miles do you have?

The 1.8Ts are infamous for overheating...I've had to replace my water pump three times, you may want to consider it. As far as the thermostat goes...my TT has about 115,000 miles on it, and the last thousand or so the thermostat has started fluctuating a bit, ranging from the center and bouncing back and forth.

 

It has 82,000 miles on it. my needle goes to the 2nd line above the middle line, when i make a stop.

 

did you use the hvac controls to assess the temp or just the dash gauge? just curious whether you think it is actually overheating. quick thigns to check are fuses atop battery for the fans, coolant sensor, hvac block 49 or 51 for coolant temps..

 

So my needle starts right under half way then when its normal it goes right under full temp. Any ideas, green sensor, fuses?

 

82K miles... Did you do the whole timing belt sha-bang at 60K miles?
Should of put a new thermostat, water pump, timing belt, serpentine belt, and tensioner in.


Mac: You have a 225 correct? If so check to see what color the sensor is, if already green chances are that's not your problem.
Does it do this on a cold start as well? Could be your cluster... [>:]

 

if the needles not exactly on one of the demarcations/lines either i think that pretty much automatically makes it the cluster, because it goes up by increments not continousouly, right?

 

Well it has the green top sensor. So I guess thats not it. I am thinking its the cluster.

 

Some have said it does go up by increments. On my TT it does not, I can tell by the way she warms up.
I also know my cluster is not bad, because unless I'm running her really hard or it's hot out that needle is dead center.

 

i havent got to the timing belt yet but thats my next upgrade on the car.