My A4 B6 was overheating the other day. Today I started it up and it did not overheat, maybe because I didn't leave it on too long; however, when I turned it off, I touched the top small diameter hose on radiator filling container and it was hot. When I go to grab the bottom one, which I believe is the return hose from the engine, it was cold or normal temp. Is this indicative 100% it is the thermostat? if so, where is it located? and what are the consequnces if I remove the thermostat and dont place a new one in. In other words remove it completely so that there is a constant flow not obstructed by the thermostat? Will this have a consequence later on? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks

 

Nobody?

 

If you don't have a thermostat, your engine will never reach operating temperatures. It will always be too cold.

 

it wont always run too cold, it will just take longer to heat up to operating temperature. your heat wont come on as quickly in the winter. you could either need to replace your thermo or maybe you have a weak water pump. your spillover tank for the coolant is at a normal level yes? do you have any lights on in the dash? power steering giving out? if any of those then you broke a belt, but probably thermo or water pump.

 

The belt driving power steering is not the same one that drives the water pump in our cars. Serpentine belt drives the alternator, A/C compressor, and power steering pump. Timingbelt drives the water pump. This is why a water pump is included in a good timing belt kit. If you have no coolant circulation, start with the thermostat. It's cheaper than a new water pump.

edited due to sudafed.

 

The water pump is only driven by the timing belt on 01+ engines. But he has a B6, so yeah. I wouldnt say a "good timing belt kit" makes the water pump you get with that kit "good." I recently replaced the water pump I got in a "good kit" after only 2 years.

 

i assumed he had a 1.8 in which the power steering would be affected but maybe he does have the 3.0?

 

on the 1.8's... yea? didnt know that... im not even sure that the 3.0's are that way i just assumed because i noticed rob had a 3.0 and we were saying conflicting things. i know my 1.8 isn't like that but mines also not newer than 01

 

Yeah, mine is th 1.8T

 

Than replace the thermostat