i got a 98 a6 quattro 30v and ive been having problems with the car overheating for about 2 weeks already. i noticed that while this was happening the temp needle in the gauge stopped working. i changed all the hoses and it still kept doing it so i ordered a new water pump and thermostat. i ripped apart the front clip and replaced the pump but i cant find the thermostat.

any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated

 

Start reading about the timing belt changes-- You'll see that most people do the TB, thermostat, WP, and seals all at the same time. I'm wondering why only did the pump!

 

Beware of replacing the thermostat and water pump without proper instuctions, as if the timing of the camshafts is off, then the engine may blow up.
See www.BentleyPublishing.com for USA/Canada Audi repair manual. Use "google" to get the best prices.

 

im changing the seals the wp and thermo but cant seem to find it. the tb is good i checked and cleaned it a few days ago.

ive rebuilt engines before (mainly nissan) and know if the timing is off the next thing that happens is a piston shooting out your hood.

 

the thermo is behind the only coolant hose you will see coming into the engine as your sitting in front of it.
just to the left and high of the harmonic balancer. two bolts and a tug and it's off. thermo fits in behind that and into the engine. u can find my thread by "audifield" in todays post that describes the nightmare i'm having after doing the same thing. car ran great but overheated due to a bad thermo. i made the mistake of "not" getting the cam locking bar the first time and now I think I toasted a valve or two, mayube u can read my post and see what u think. any other q's let me know.....once you've done it it's easy. i pulled the whole damn thing off again and back together two days ago in a few hours.
GD luck.

 

thanks audifield