I have a 2002 Jetta wagon, 2.0L 4Cyl Automatic. My engine temp fluctuates between 150 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit depending on heater settings and driving conditions. It only reaches 190 if the car idles for a while. A while ago, my MIL light came on and the code said to check the coolant temp sensor and circuit. After a re-set, the light has remained off...for now, anyway. Is this normal behavior or does it sound like I have thermostat stuck open? It doesn't take long for the car to warm up (about 5 mins or so) and the heat seems plenty warm, but it seems the engine may be running cooler than it should. This is my first VW and I've only had it for 3 months now, but every other car I've driven did not change in temp once it reached it's normal range. Is this normal for a VW? How hard is it to replace the thermostat?

 

It's not hard to replace the thermosat and the temp should stay at 189 after it warms up. How long has it been since the light was on?

 

Only about a week since the light came on and it turned back on on the way home tonight. I hear you have to drain the radiator and check for pressure in the coolant system. And VW uses special coolant that is not readily available. Is this true? I worked on my Accord all the time so I am mechanically inclined....just don't want to screw up this car. I hear VW's are "sensitive."

 

Yes you do have to drain the coolant. Don't worry about a pressure test. It is "lifetime" coolant so you can reuse it if you want. While you've got it drained I would replace the temp sensor too. It's like $20. You can get coolant and the sensor from ecstuning.comor the dealer of course.

 

I was told by someone on the forums that if you don't want to use the blue stuff, you can drain and flush your system out and put regular green coolant in. I'm using green coolant on my car, no problems yet, but now that i'm talking about it, something will probably happen! I just rather use the green stuff anyways as it's readily available at any store. If u blow a hose and loose the precious blue stuff, what are you going to do unless you have some in ur trunk??? Don't mix the different coolants together!

 

Yeah no blue but you definately want to use the VW purple kind. You can use say, Prestone 50/50 for topping off but you don't want to fill the system with it.

 

My coolant is orange...at least that's what it looks like in the reservoir.

 

Yeah it is more of a pink but VW calls it purple. If yours is orange it's probably time to change it because alot of green has been added to it.

 

jordankersten, if you look at the more recent threads, someone made one labeled as coolant color (or something) i replied in the thread about my thermostat and temp sensor change. yours seems to not be as bad as mine..... my car was only warming up to 95 degrees, and the GREAT owner before me didnt care much, luckly he had the car for a short time and i caught this because the o ring on the sensor started to leak my coolant.