I have a 2.8L 12V, I know, I bought the wrong car... but anyway, I've recently had a problem with my cooling system. The temperature gauge on my dash doesn't rise- it just stays at the bottom line.

I'm thinking my temperature sensor is busted. My engine coolant is at the max fill line, so that's not the problem. I watched to see if my radiator fan would turn on, but it didn't. I'm thinking it only turns on when the temperature sensor tells it to? That's why I think it's the temperature sensor.

*(On a side note, I noticed there are two fans. One with a shroud, the radiator fan?, and the other without a shroud? What is that one called? I need to replace it because a fan blade broke off. Where can I find a replacement part for it.)

Is there an easy way to pinpoint where the problem is? Here are some possible suspects:
1. Temperature sensor
2. Temperature relay
3. Radiator fan
4. Water pump

How can I tell which one is the problem?

Sorry if these sound like simple questions...I really don't have experience working on cars, but I want to learn!Thanks for any help.

 

bump

 

Most likely it's the coolant temp sensor - it's a known issue on these cars. One of the forums has a DIY for changing it on the V6 model - it's under the center engine cover up top, at the back of the motor, buried in a mess of vacuum lines and hoses and harnesses. Somewhat of a pain to change due to the cramped quarters, but there's nothing difficult about removing it other than just reaching it and manipulating the plug for it.

 

good luck with that buddy, it took me a close to an hour and a half to change that sensor, but it took care of so many issues with my car. you'll need to remove most of the intake tubing, and the ICV to make it easier to change, also youll need tofung shue some wires, this should take maybe 1/2the time, i went from underneath the car and past the downpipes. its some force to pull it out.

 

Whew. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me... Thanks for your help, guys. I MEAN IT! I bought this used thing and little by little I'm finding out how much more attention it will require... I just wish it had been maintained better by the previous owner. I love the car though! Would've love'd it more if I had gone with a 1.8T~

By the way, does anyone know where I can get a spare fan? not the shrouded one, but the naked one. That looks like hell to replace too...

 

Unbelievable! It was a good thing I had to change the sensor because I found a serious problem that the previous owner neglected to tell me. I suppose it's my fault too for not finding it before I bought it...

I changed the sensor like you said, and it solved all my coolant problems. Actually it was really really easy. I'll used the hook part of a hanger to yank out the clip. It worked beautifully. I was done before ten minutes were up!

But then I saw misery. There is this hose that leads from the left side of the engine to the back of the engine somewhere. I think it is an engine oil cooler hose or something? Or is that only for turbo and superchargers? I don't know what to call it, or what it does, but the previous owner had broken it in half and then taped it together with electrical tape. SoB! Maybe it's part of the oil circulation to the filter? I'm sure you guys would know. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

I hope you will know what to call it. I feel so nervous driving the car now...

Besides that, does anyone know what the fan is called that is run by the engine? Not the radiator fan, but rather the one without the shroud on a b5 2.8L quattro, 1997. One of the blades are broken. I'd like to replace it before it gets worse, spinning fast while unbalanced... I searched but the only things that come up are like 'viscous fan' or engine cooling fan... isn't that the radiator fan?

Thanks for any input!

 

one fan of the fans is the radiator fan and the other is the air conditioning fan if your air condition works then you will be fine both of the fans power at extreme heat tho


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after a long hard search I found the name of the broken hose. It's called the breather hose. I've posted some pictures. For anyone's future reference, it turns out this hose gets very brittle. The previous owner who sold me the car had broken it and bound it together with electrical tape. I guess it was a good temporary fix, but I'm nervous driving the car like this. The dealer charges 106.00 for the piece. I found an online part store that sells it at 85.00 at http://www.autopartsworld.com/Part.aspx?VehicleYear=1997&MakeEncoded=audi&am p;ModelEncoded=a4-quattro-v6-12v&PartNameEncoded=breather-hose


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