When I bought my mk4 golf 1.6se 8v 1999 the temp display registered 0. I put
a new temp sensor on from eurocarparts it now registers but only at about 80
degree. So I bought a new one from VW and it registers at 80 only, my wife
took it for a 4/5 mile drive and it made it to 90 but she said it
fluctuated.

I doubt both sensors could be bad, so something is not working right.

I'm having a random educated guess at perhaps the thermostat ? (only from
reading I guess this)

Would anyone think this is likely, or if I'm barking up the wrong tree ?

If it is this where might it be located on this model and is it a simple to
change part from a hobbyist ?

Thanks

Dubber wrote:
Don't know about location, but it sounds like your thermostat is opening too
early. Usually simple enough to change on most cars if access is ok. Worth
changing coolant as you will have to drain it off anyway.

"Eric Brain" <ensegb (AT) bath (DOT) ac.uk> wrote

Assuming the 1.6 engine in question is an AEX (or derived from one), the
stat is in a plastic housing to the right hand side of the rocker cover.
It's a doddle to get in and out, the screws don't rust in, and as it's near
the top of the engine, you don't lose much coolant. It is a rather odd
design of stat though - a plastic casing with a pin that pushes out as
temperature rises, pushing it away from the hole it's blocking...

"Doki" <mrdoki (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

Its the AEH engine. I picked up the part today from euro car parts.
Hopefully once the weather stops thumping down with rain I'll have a go at
it. Sounds like its not going to be a pig of a job. I just got done doing
the rear bushes on the mk4 golf and that was the worst job in the world I
have ever done. I shall never do it again on a mk4 and will sing it from the
roof top to others to happily pay a garage

I hope the thermostat is as simple as it sounds above doki. So its in the
right hand side to the rocker cover when standing infront ?

The stat does look a bit weird. Weird design. At least it wasn't to dear of
a part. Hopefully should be a quick-ish fix.

"Dubber" <I.love.my.dub (AT) veeedub (DOT) co.uk> wrote

Aha. I originally meant AEE anyhow - the AEX is the 1.4 but is much the
same - obviously the same block with a different bore or stroke.

That's right.

If you look at Ebay item # 400052671631, then the Stat and thermostat
housing are the two items pictured on the right. I'd be very surprised if VW
have moved the thermostat from its position on the AEX/AEE fitted to the
MK3.

"Dubber" <I.love.my.dub (AT) veeedub (DOT) co.uk> wrote

A common fault with these is the housing, the part where the pin on the
thermostat sits wears.