thinking my overheating problem is from the thermostat, how would i change that? I have heard it can be tough with the A4.
1998 audi a4 1.8tQ

 

not sure how to change it, but to check if it's working or not, at normal temprature or overheating, if both the coolant pipes (big ones from radiator to engine block) (upper and lower) are hot, then it's not the thermostat.

if only 1 is (most likely the lower) is cold or not as hot as the other pipe, then the thermo is stuck closed

 

Its a little tricky. The stat is on the bottom of the water-pump in a housing that has a hose connected to it. The housing only takes two bolts, 10mm i think. The only problem you'll have i think is when your installing it. You'll have to find a way to hold the o-ring to the middle of the themostat housing with the stat itself on top of those two. This is at an angle so you cant just balance it and install it back up there.

 

I will sell you my thermostat, then you will have a problem with underheating....lol.....I need a new one too, but I a too busy with school and dont have much time...

 

Simple,, pull old one out, push new one in and bolt down.. all you need it more coolant and one socket

 

so is this a job that i can handle or does this need to be taken to a shop? as far as i understand right now, you take the skid plate off, unhook the rad hose that runs to the motor where the stat is located, pop it out, place the new one in carefully, connect everything again, and load back up on antifreeze. however, isnt the antifreeze a carefull mixture of the g-12?