QuestionI have a 2000 VW Golf and have noticed that lately, now that temps are colder my temperature gauge stays low- 1 or 2 hatches below 190 degrees which is right in the middle where i always thought my temp should be. My heat works just great and my car still runs great as I keep up with service on it. Should I be concerned with the temperature gauge?
AnswerThere are three possibilities here, temp sender, thermostat or water pump.
If it is a bad sender, the temperature on the gauge may fluctuate rapidly. It can go from totally cold to normal to halfway in a few seconds. That doesn't sound like what you are seeing. If it is, it's an easy fix depending on how flexible your arms are.
If it's the stat, it's because it is either stuck open or is binding during close. Is it taking longer for the engine to come temperature? Compare it to last fall, not this summer. While stuck open is much better than stuck closed (which causes overheating), you want to fix this. It can change from stuck open to stuck closed pretty quickly.
It's probably not a pump issue as this typically causes overheating. However, poor circulation can cause temperature variations. When the engine is up to temp, grab the upper radiator hose. It should be hot. Squeeze it and you should "feel" the coolant flowing in it. Be careful around the fan and belts.
Rob
PS- It might also be the viscous coupling. With the engine OFF, try spinning the fan. It should move easily. With a little push it should be able to turn 1/2 turn on it's own. Good ones spin really easily and as they age they get tighter. They usually don't totally freeze up, but will get to the point where they start to howl. It sounds like an angry ghost holding a weed whacker.
