Do I Need A Thermostat?

[RobD]

Hi,

 

Been a member for a few months now and read lots of postings with great interest, especially the ongoing MAF Saga. Love the site.

 

This is my first post, and all I am really looking for is confirmation of what I suspect to be a small problem. I have a 2000(V) Tdi90 bosch Galaxy Ghia X, (the last ones before the facelift). It is a high mileage (92K when bought, now 96K) bus, with mixed service history. I've had the cam belt (and tensioner etc. thanks to advice from this site) changed, and the front suspension drop links replaced (again due to problems experienced and comments on this site - Sweet !!! -

[Masked Marauder]

96K on a V reg is normal mileage! Many that age have over 150k on them! My 1998 R reg has 130k and was one of the lowest mileage ones I saw when I bought it.

 

Your engine temperature does not surprise me. It does seem a bit slow to warm up but I am going to suggest that the auxilliary heater is not working. Do you get a jet engine sound from the underside near the rear passenger side door area when the engine and outside temperature is low?

 

As the glow plug light goes, the VAG engines use a fast heating plug that is red hot in about 2 seconds.

[RobD]

Thanks MM,

 

I've seen a few threads about the Auxilliary Heater, I'll follow these and let you know.

 

Currently, I don't get any noise from the rear until the engine is warm, then the rear blower fires up (I thought this was normal). It can be a bit of a pain when the roller blind is fitted, the boot is full of fresh chilled stuff from the supermarket and you forget to turn the rear fan off. As mentioned in many posts, it would be nice to be able to select a lower rear temperature on the climate control.

 

Thanks again

 

Rob

[johnb80]

You can select a lower temp in the rear on Climate Control.

 

Regards - JB

[seatkid]

You can select a lower temp in the rear on Climate Control.

 

Regards - JB

Not unless its changed on the Mk2

[Guest vr6galaxy]

The Galaxy glow plug light goes out after about 2 seconds, and I can really start the engine 1st time without waiting at all, is this usual?

 

The glow plugs are switched on via the drivers door courtesy light switch :) reducing the time you sit around waiting for the light to go out, hence the quick warm up time, they also work for time after starting till 2500/3000 RPM IIRC :)

[Guest vr6galaxy]

You can select a lower temp in the rear on Climate Control.

 

Regards - JB

But isnt that only by a couple of degrees?

[RobD]

Hi Guys, (and Dolls, at least Martina), I took note of MMs comments about the auxillary or booster heater and read a good number of member posts about this, including the record (not vinyl) breaking post with over 190 replies and 9600 + views.

 

I now realise how naive I was to believe that the slow heat up problem could be something as simple as a stuck open thermostat.

 

I have had a look under the Gal, and Yes my bus has a booster heater under the NSR door, Yes it does not work and never has from being bought last August, and Yes, I am going to have to sort it.

 

I am not sure that it is an absolute neccessity to have, apart from the added engine wear before warm up. and never being warm by the time I get to work, But like many others posting here, I will not let something as trivial as a reason stand in my way of showing the inept manufacturers just who they are are dealing with. I am not your run of the mill Dickhead, I am a Super Dickhead, after all, I bought it in the first place!

 

What a Sh??e design?, why not use some of the sources of waste heat available around the exhaust system e.g at the manifold? they could even make the engine compartment more cramped than it already is, further excluding the none "trained/franchised" mechanics from having a go.

 

Right - Soap box away now

 

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it very much,

 

I am now going to try to find the service kit, get a glow plug, get VAG-COM (and a Lap-Top or a fcuking long lead from my PC) to reset the fault code (or may just D/C the battery overnight), increase my stock of WD40, make sure I have a T20 and T25 Torx bit, charge up my digital camera, and get a pink sheet to lie on

 

Have I forgotten anything?

 

Cheers and thanks again

 

Rob

[Guest marcusheawood]

Why a pink sheet? :P

[RobD]

Look at Ivor's excellent Pics from the "big" post from May 2005. Apparently the job requires a pink sheet to lie on.

 

Not sure if it is essential, but his pics are so good, I'm convinced it's worth a try!. Anyway I'm sure I have a pink duvet cover we were given as an engagement prezzy 30 odd years ago that I could use, anything to make the job easier.

 

Rob

[marinabrid]

try this bloke for a glowplug 1st class he is.

ebay item no. 4603746327