Normal water temp gauge should point exactly at halfway point once warmed up. Although I do not drive in the snow country often, the only time I had the water temp fluctuate away from halfway point was when I had bad thermostat. As for the oil temp, it moves around between 225 and 237 mark under normal highway driving condition.

If your water temp gauge moves up and cools back down during highway speed drive, then I suspect thermostat.

 

Thanks hxgaser I'm pretty sure it is the thermostat... unfortunately it sounds like a pretty big job...One that I'd like to put off till the summer. If I don't replace it right away will it hurt anything?

 

20mpg indicates cold running engine ?
You might have thermostat stuck open or and CTS malfunctioning.
If the oil is cold - it might be the thermostat only.

It is possible to change the thermostat (on 2.8) with TB on.
There are 3 types of thermostats that work at different temperature poins - generally the hotter the engine - the best performance.

 

The only thing is you may get lower mileage. Cold engine usually compensates itself by running rich. It is not really that bad. Our cars don't really get good mileage to begin with. So instead of 18 mpg combined, you maybe getting 17 mpg... big deal wooh whooo.

But you should get it addressed anyways. Since you will be there anyways, you should to the timing belt, water pump and etc.

 

Thanks guys, does anyone know where i can get instructions on how to replace the thermostat?

By the way this forum is great... I was on an audi forum for a couple of days and did not get one question answered...unbelievable.

 

Here is a decent timing belt job, which is pretty much what you need to do for the thermostat.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng39.shtml

Only thing that I would do different is that you don't have to completely pull of the radiator core support. Meaning you don't need to disconnect water hoses, power steering hoses and etc. You can slide out the front once you undo the core support bolt. You can buy a couple of longer bolts to hold them in place.

Anyways, i would recommend getting a bentley manual, or if you get your timing belt kit from blauparts, it comes with an instruction.

 

Thanks, I read it and it will be very helpful when I do all the replacing. Do you know what the best parts to get would be? I saw an entire set(timing belt/tensioner, therm, and waterpump w/all gaskets) on ebay for about $250...is that a good deal? or will they be junk parts?

here is a link to the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AIT&viewitem=

Thanks

 

I think it is a good deal, considering the seller is including the tensioner. Also the seller seems to have a good reputation. You can get a blauparts kit for about $100 more but it includes 6 liters of antifreeze, cam seals, miscellaneous tensioner hardware and most importantly a detailed instruction. If you go to the dealer for all the stuff that is not included in the ebay kit, it will cost you close to $100.

BTW, blauparts rents timing belt replacement tool kit. Another option is going with ECStuning kit with includes some tools(not all), but obviously it is more expensive.

 

The blauparts kit sounds like a much better deal...where can i find it, online?
I was thinking about where to find a tb replacement tool they rent them. how does that work, do they send it to you and you send it back?
also should i replace the cam seals? or is that unnecessary.
Thanks a bunch!

 

www.blauparts.com

I used them on numerous occasions and worked out good so far. As for the tool rental, they send you the tools with a credit card deposit. Once you send them back, they will credit it back. There is a detailed policy on their website.

As for the timing belt kit, get the one with the enhanced parts which includes the tensioner itself. Also I would replace the front cam seals while at it. The tool kit comes with the seal extractor..

Rear ones are another story...