Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

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gholfstok
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Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by gholfstok »

Hi peeps,

Recently got myself a golf mk1 (93 model) that I use as a daily.

Busy sorting out a few issues on the car but have the following questions.

1) Is it good to drive it without a thermostat or should I put one back in again?

2) What is normal for the temp gauge - should it stay down or move up to the middle over the temp light?

3) Does the temp senor in front of the engine (above the petrol pump) regulate the fan and temp gauge or do they have separate sensors?
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Sean Trollope
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Re: Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by Sean Trollope »

Hi.

You should put it back in. The engine is designed to run at a certain temperature.

The needle should be over the light when the car is at normal temperature. Or in that area at least.

The one above the fuel pump is purely for the gauge. The one for the fan is on the left hand side of the radiator.

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panic-mechanic
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Re: Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

Widely dscussed subject and lots of good posts here even with some pictures of the flow.
But the simple answer is that engine MUST have a thermostat in. If you take it out it will overheat. Water will circulate in the block only and not through the radiator.
Temp must sit around the middle of the gauge.
Fan is run by a switch at th bottom left of the radiator.
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gholfstok
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Re: Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by gholfstok »

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.
Since it is out I will go get a new one and put it back.

Since I bought the golf the temp gauge needle did move, bought a new temp sensor but didnt get time to fit out - couple of days later the temp light started flashing and moved up to around the light, I though it was getting hot now ... stopped at garage and ask them to check the water in which they did had to put a bit in so I thought normal position was on the left.

Last week I replaced the fuel pump, and then decided the replace the temp sensor as well. The temp light keeps flashing but the needle now goes up to around the light and as soon as it moves over the light the fan kicks in and then the needle drops again...weird thing is then suddenly the light went off and the needle dropped back tot the left ... so I assume somewhere a wire is then shot or some other electrical problem.

Another question - when the car is not running how much fuel should be in the fuel filter. According to me there should be fuel in it and not empty .
Sometimes mine has fuel in (a bit) and sometimes its empty which makes me think the fuel pick up is not working as it should ?
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Saiendra
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Re: Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by Saiendra »

To check the cluster I would suggest earthing the yellow / red wire that comes from the temperature sensor to the harness, it is not uncommon for these older clusters to become faulty with age.

Earth the wire and see if the gauge goes to max and stays there.
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panic-mechanic
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Re: Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

Fuel filter ill never look full even when running. Basically epmty when not running.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
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'05 Touareg v10

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panic-mechanic
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Re: Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

If the temp gauge is moving but the light is flashing the water level sensor in the bottle is faulty(or it's wiring).
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
gholfstok
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Re: Golf MK1 thermostat and other random questions

Post by gholfstok »

Thermostat is back in.
Temp gauge seems to be working as it should.
Light still flashes, put in a new coolant level sensor but that didnt make a difference. Will now take a look at the wiring.

But first need to sort of the jerking, tried taking it to work on tuesday morning but had to turn around as the golf just kept cutting out where it was fine Monday afternoon.
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