is it easy to replace coolant temp switch/sender on arl engine?

[masterfrodo]

My temp gauge has suddenly decided not to work at all. From googling it seems that its a very common fault and the guilty party is 99% likely to be the coolant temp switch/sender

1. Is it easy to replace, and how much coolant am I likely to lose when changing it?

2. What type of coolant is likely to be in the the system, in case I need to top it up afterwards?

Its a tdi 150 PD

 

[sockpuppet]

There is a clip holding the sensor in so its just a case of unclipping and losing a bit of coolant. You should have g12, g12+ or g13 coolant, most likely g12+. If its red then its a g12 and if its purple g13. ECP do TRIPLE QX Red which is g12 and g12+ rated.

 

[masterfrodo]

Cheers. I have ordered the sensor, and had a look at the coolant - its a kinda salmon colour - certainly not red, so am wondering if someone has watered it down

 

[sockpuppet]

You mix it one part coolant to two parts water, so salmon colour is about right.

 

[masterfrodo]

Perfect. Thanks

 

[Stewarty]

Just remember to let it cool rite down.I thought mine had cooled after half hour or so and when I unclipped the sensor it shot off,burned my thumb and lost the little rubber washer that holds the sensor in.

 

[masterfrodo]

Cheers. Yeah, I'll remember that. The new sensor arrived yesterday and comes with a new washer

Haven't changed it yet, but took the car for a drive yesterday and after a while it decided to work again! So will keep an eye on it and change when its finally decided enough is enough

 

[Stewarty]

Yeah I should've got a new washer aswell but that's euro carparts for you.well its easy enough when you do come to it.no worries mate

 

[ray]

Take the coolant cap off the top of the engine before doing it so there's no pressure as said above.

I done it on my s3 and it sprayed my face which was pretty damn painful.

Also be careful with the clip as they break easily, can get them from any vw/Audi garage for 50p. If the rubber seal isn't on the sensor when it comes out it's probably still stuck inside, I never realise this the first time either and tried to put the new one in and wondered why it wouldn't go right in....

Complete novice at this point but just highlighting the silly **** i didn't know at the time!


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[bruceR]

It could also be the thermostat starting to go

 

[ray]

Thermostat would usually be the car only heating up to 70, but if it's not working at all and then working fine sounds like the temp sender.


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[Stewarty]

Yeah that's a good point ray!when I changed my temp sender it did make my temp readings behave a bit better but ended up having to change my stat like a month later and its bin perfect since then and I'm getting better milage as said on one of my threads before

 

[Stewarty]

Oh and cheers for clarifying that I'm not the only novice to burn myself changing a collant sender.done exactly the same thing but I managed to get my face out the way,ouch!! and my hand took it instead.

 

[ray]

Yeah with my s3 it was only heating up to about 70 but I changed the temp sender first as it was only a fiver then done the thermostat once there was no change.

Calling myself a novice is hilarious because I'd have 4 mk4 golfs before this and changed the sender on 2 of them but since I was confident in doing so I obviously jumped in too quick.

I think if I had took the filler cap off before hand I would of been fine.

Luckily it was just a hardcore face mask with no lasting damage.


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[Stewarty]

Yep you get confident and its got a way of coming back at you and biting you in the arse.spose scalding your face is a good reminder to not make same mistake again.Im pretty sure its worked for me.ha ha