How long does a V6 3.0 TDi thermostat take to replace? ...

JulianHicks · #1 7th March 2016, 10:48 AM

Can anyone please indicate to me how easy or difficult it is to replace the engine cooling thermostat on the A8's ASB 3.0 TDi engine?

I've seen reference elsewhere to those of you with an A8 who have "just gone outside tonight to replace my thermostat", but my 'trusted service agents' have just quoted me four hours of labour to replace a £30 thermostat.

Is this reasonable of have they misunderstood what's involved? [They don't see many A8s].

Thanks - Julian

ainarssems · #2 7th March 2016, 01:08 PM

Official Audi timing is 2.5hrs to move lock carrier in service position and reinstall, and 2.2hrs on top of that to change thermostat. If you have ACC then another 0.3hrs to check alignment of radar unit.

JulianHicks · #3 9th March 2016, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ainarssems

Official Audi timing is 2.5hrs to move lock carrier in service position and reinstall, and 2.2hrs on top of that to change thermostat. If you have ACC then another 0.3hrs to check alignment of radar unit.

Thank You for that reply - are these timings specifically for the V6 3.0TDi?

And I'm sorry, I don't understand what is meant by the "lock carrier".

Regards - Julian

ainarssems · #4 9th March 2016, 05:25 PM

Yes those times are for 3.0TDI. Lock carrier is the front frame with lights, radiators etc. on it. It needs to be moved about 4 inches forward to service position to create gap between engine and radiator so that you can access and service belts, thermostat etc. See the attached document for details

snapdragon · #5 9th March 2016, 06:47 PM

WHAT!!? I did mine mine twice - 30 minutes the first time and 15 minutes the second and it was in the dark (to no avail).

It is on the front of the engine and once you have the new one you can see where the screw holes are. It was 4-5 years ago, but I'm sure there is a thread on here somewhere. Therer are 3 torx screws and a tricky sping-clip on the hose. Refit with some threadlock.
Leave the coolant cap on when the engine is cold and not much coolant comes out either.
It is tight for space and I remember there may have been belts that needed pushing but nothing too hard.

In the end, it was the secondary thermostat which is beside the automatic gearbox.

In this photo, it has a red circle around it.
I seem to recall unclipping and pulling off the black plastic belt cover above and to the right.

Delboy · #6 9th March 2016, 06:55 PM

Where do you find the time to do the job info?

ainarssems · #7 9th March 2016, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delboy

Where do you find the time to do the job info?

ElsaWin

Here are the screen shots from Elsa, 1st shows thermostat remove reinstall time 220 labour units. 100 labour units = 1 hour, it also show predecessor - work that needs to be done before that and not included in time allowance. 2nd shows time for lock carrier loosening and fastening 250 units

JulianHicks · #8 11th March 2016, 04:28 PM

Guys; thanks for your comprehensive replies.

Wow, that looks like a large job for a £30 part and shows my dealer's quote of 4 hours was very reasonable guess of the time involved.

Looks like I'll do without for the time being.

HOWEVER, I see reference to checking temperatures with VCDS. As I have a 'floating' panel gauge [temp drops down below 90 - never above], I'd like to see what the 'real' temperatiure is.

Which ECU[s]/Measuring block[s] will tell me what the car thinks the temperature is?

Thanks & Regards - Julian

ainarssems · #9 11th March 2016, 06:34 PM

Well those are official dealer time but like snapdragon pointed out you might be able to do in a lot less time f having small hands and not draining coolant fully but risking it getting on belts or on the ground. Might be worth asking another garage or a forum member do it for you.