3.0TDi undercooling! Advice on ATF thermostat location, please ...
 

Guys;

I've had the dreaded underheating problem [gauge reads about 70 and never really gets to 90] for almost two years but finally got round to replacing my engine block thermostat recently - with no improvement. :(

The gauge input from the sensor must be good as the front seat heater output is directly related to what the gauge says, so I don't suspect the sender is faulty and showing me duff values.

So now I presume it could be the ATF cooler thermostat that 'Snapdragon' alerted us to some while ago.

I've acquired a new replacement, but can anyone please give me a clue as to how easy it is to to get to it so as to replace it? [I don't have the capability - jack or stands - but although my non Audi owning mate has jacks and stands, it would be helpful for some advice on how to use them to get to it before it gets really cold.

Regards - Julian

Hello, I think it was on the passenger side under the car, and they removed the front passenger wheel and undertrays first. I paid some automotive students £10 to fit it at work :D It was held by spring clips on the hoses.

Thanks for that Snapdragon.

How did they jack the car up and prop it to get at the thermostat?

Regards - Julian

4 post lift, but i imagine that is not neccessary as long as you can get under the car safely. You are right - there seems to be no mention in any service manual - but is shown on P16-17 of this SSP.

Attachment 17481

Thanks again Snapdragon; I wonder if I can get a 4 post lift from TPS? :rolleyes:

Looks like I might not be able to get at it without paying the professionals to lift it. :( Irritating for a £12 stat.

Thanks for the pointer to the SSP385; I'd seen the diagram [probably in your older post] but not the tech detail and the images of the inline stat.

Regards - Julian

If you work in London you could use something like this - just rent a ramp and tools for an hour or two. There might be something like this down in Kent?

http://www.pitstartgarage.com/self_service.html

a few others I found -
http://ramp-it-up.co.uk/
http://thisisyourgarage.com/about/wo...35375976562500

Sorry; missed this helpful advice. Only just seen it today - Tueday 29th ...

I'm in East Kent but might find something here at the end of the civilised world ... :rolleyes:

After waiting for a friend who offered to lift my car for me, who then wasn't able to do it for personal reasons, I've today paid the professionals to replace the ATF thermostat using the part I purchased.

Success +++

Wish I'd done it earlier, as they were cheap[ish] and did it without any trouble, and I'd have had heating throughout the winter.

Julian

Julian,
Well done Not nice in the cold weather and is why I did my cheapo mod.