I am new to this and this is my first Audi. I have an 04 A4 1.8T Quattro with 143K miles on her that I purchased about a month ago. Yesterday after about 20 minute drive I was checking the oil level as I had just changed my oil the day before. I notice the engine compartment was very hot, hotter than normal. Checking the coolant level it looks good and doesn't look dirty at all. When I changed the oil I didn't see were there was coolant in the oil either. I check the coolant hoses and they were hot also. Radiator was warm and bottom hose from the radiator was warm but not hot. The gage in the car got to normal temp very fast, never really moved off the middle tic mark, but did seem to go a bit on the high side of that tic mark.

Do I have a thermostat stuck closed or temp sensor?

Also hoping I can find someone in my area that had the VAGCOM that might could help also. I haven't been able to purchase the software and cable as of yet.

 

Hi there...
I'm not a mechanic but using the two cent experience I have I guess you answered your question...

A bad temperature sensor will cause below the normal temperature in the reading and a closed thermostat will cause higher temperature in the reading.

Now as you said the reading is higher than normal temperature. I think you got a bad thermostat.

It's all a guess. Get the car checked by diagnosing so that you know the exact problem.

If you wanna gamble as I always do. Start with the thermostat. Success!