Wow, I'm dealing with the exact same thing at the moment. I actually called ECS (with my VIN# in-hand) and said they couldn't be sure if I needed a green or a blue sensor. So I ordered both and I'll return one. And yes, their shipping is RIDICULOUS.

I was always worried about the long-term problems of a faulty coolent temp sensor. Mine is intermittant, but the majority of the time it's not working. I bought this 4 months ago from another guy, so who knows how long its been busted. I wouldn't be at all surprised to look at myspark plugs (or my valves) and find them covered in an inch of blank gunk...I should probably do that, actually.

My engine is making a hellacious ticking noise at the moment...put I'm pretty sure I'm just overdue on oil. I'll take care of that his week once the ECSorder shows up (including my magnetic oil plug).

 

it could definatley do that i had a problem with my car recently when it wasnt started for afew hours the car would think it was colder then it was and flood so my car wouldnt start, got the sensor replaced and no more problems

 

So I just screwed around with the ECT for about an hour, and I still can't get the damnwire assembly unhooked to access the sensor. It's a real pain the ***, and I don't think I'm exerting enough force with the wire hanger as suggested in the walkthrough. I'm wiggling it back and forth, and it feels like its getting looser...but its not coming off. And when I tried to push it back in so I can drive around, it didn't move, so i'm not sure I made any progress at all.

I have to run to dinner with the folks, but I'm gonna try to mess around with it later tonight/ tomorrow.

Any suggestions on getting that bastard unclipped? Grrrr [:@] (yes, it's a 2.8)

 

Its easier to take the plastic clip out and remove the ects with the wiring still attatched in order to get a good handle on removing the wiring/plug. Thats how I did it on my 1.8t, not sure if its doable that way on a 2.8.

 

the 12v take the blue top square unit with 4 pins. ECS told me i needed the green top retards. the green one is for the 1.8t for sure not sure about the 30v though. dont go to audi though they will give a black top which i a know faulty item. just go to NAPA and give them your car stats its the only blue sensor there for ECT. their gonne try to seel you some $90 2 pin thing, its wrong its the $12 blue sensor.

 

Cool, I'll give that a try tomorrow. Didn't really leave myself enough time today. Of course its supposed to rain tomorrow, damnit...

One other thing while I was looking through that audiworld DIY link above....his picture shows a blue connector with a metal retaining clip (in addition to that plastic clip that holds the ECT in place). Mine isn't blue, and just has a plastic pressure clip on the side of it...same kinda clip that holds the MAF wires inplace, I think.Mine does have the samethe plastic clip on the left side holiding in the sensor

There's such a mess of crap back there, I HOPE I've been yanking on the right one...

 

1.8t is easy since everything is visible. on the 2.8 there are 2 ways to do it, the smart way and SAudi way. the smart way is to remove all the hoses and stuff around the ECT (lookat the front of the car, behind the left cylinder bank) with a long flat screwdriver pry off the metal retaining clip and pull out with a long set of pliers of carefully pulling on the wire, basically the audiworld way. My was was to go in under the car, obviously when its cold. its pretty easy to find the sensor, its really th first thing with wires coming out the top and a retaining clip on it. open the coolant resivoir with an assitant to close it when you pull the sensor (yeah i got splashed with some good ole G12) using a set of long plier just grip and push up on the sensor or with your hands if your strong enough. replace with new sensor and your done. not really a better way but faster.

 

Yeah, I wondered if it was any more accessible from underneath...I should be under it doing an oil change tomorrow, so i'll give it a look.

But yours has a metal retaining clip too? damnit, why's mine have to be different..

 

yeah so after a couple hours of screwing around, and scratching up my hand pretty nicely, I FINALLY got the thing back together. Getting the new clip installed was a royal pain in the ***...so I just used the old one since it was a tad more flexible.

And onepoint8tee is absolutely right about removing the clip before trying to get the sensor disassembled. Screw that coat-hanger technique in the AW walkthrough...get the clip off, and the whole thing comes right out. Also, I think that walkthrough has some pictures of the wrong component....that blue thing with the metalic clip is NOT what I took apart/put back together....the sensor is below that.

Anyways, w00t! for a functioning temp sensor AND a fresh change of oil (my first if you can believe it)....big day! [sm=wootwoot.gif]

 

Just repalced the stock (black) sensor with a blue one. I am going on a trip this weekend so we'll see if my fuel mileage improves.