got a 2004 a6 quattro 2.7 turbo

229,000 miles, auto

to me it seems to be running hot. i may be wrong. the local dealership thinks there is nothing wrong.

it stays at the mid point of the temp gauge all the time. i barely ever hear the cooling fans kick in.

is this normal?
what is the correct temp to run at?
what should be inspected or replaced?
can a better cooling system be installed?

 

My '02 with 95K miles runs the same as yours. Coolant temp gauge should be dead center pretty much all the time. Oil temps run around 225.

There are options for increased cooling. The easiest is to wire your auxiliary electric fan to run all the time, but IMHO your car is operating normally.

-not an expert, just an enthusiast

 

You are my new high mileage hero. I am a pubic hair under 190k. At normal operating temp my oil runs 225-240o - closer to 250 when running hard, high speed (80+) in hot weather. Water temp sits squarely at dead center. This weekend I sat in traffic on the Blue Water Bridge in 92o weather for 30 minutes, and it went about 1/2 needle right of center. These 2.7Ts seem to have very good cooling systems.

 

the mileage on this car is nothing.

had a '77 5000 that we used to at least 300k. it was passed on to a relative that pushed it another 115k. the body went.
then had a '84 5000s that we used up to 250k and passed that on to another relative. it is still rolling today. mileage uncertain.
next was a '93 100s that went 345k. sold it to a neighbor this past february.
my sister has a 2001 a6q with 200k plus. changing catalytics as we speak.

my aunt and uncle are rolling their '08 A6 Q currently with 125k.

my other daily drivers are
'95 gmc suburban - 310k
'98 chrysler town & country minivan - 325k

all vehicle were bought new