2000 a6 2.7t, bought the car, owner thought it had a bad head gasket. I looked into it and found it to have the aux water pump spraying all over the place (I think a mis diagnoses of head gasket) So I replaced that, but could not get the car to cool, seems to not circulate water. I learned the vents (top of motor and heater core) no luck. I flushed water trough the top of radiator and got chuncky pink stuff to come up through the reservour. Thinking stuck/plugged thermostat or water pump. so took it all apart, everthing looks fine. I put old thermostat in boiling water, doesnt seem to open, is it bad. Already instaled new one, so cant compare them, unless I pull it back out. Im half way back together...Any suggestions?

 

So I got the car back together, must have been bad thermostat. Works great now. I paid $400 for this beautiful car, put another $400 into it, very happy with it

 

Gotta love a win like that - congrats