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michaelschmitz69

Audi A8 Radiator Fan Failure Causing Engine Overheat

My 2023 Audi A8 keeps running hot and the check engine light is on. The cooling system seems off, I suspect the car radiator fan might be the culprit. The engine cooling gauge shows higher temps than normal, especially in city traffic. Running a 3.0L gas engine with 115010 km. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? Looking for advice before heading back to a shop since my last mechanic experience wasnt great. Want to know what to expect and rough repair costs.

4 comment(s)

benmystic2

Having experienced similar car overheating issues with my 2020 Audi A6 3.0T, these symptoms strongly suggest a cooling system malfunction. The thermal switch or fan blade assembly are common failure points that cause these exact issues. When my car showed these symptoms, the diagnostic revealed the engine cooling fan was not engaging properly. The thermal switch had failed, preventing the radiator fan from activating at the correct temperature. This caused significant overheating, particularly during idle and slow-speed driving. This is a serious issue that requires immediate attention, as continued overheating can lead to engine damage. The repair involved: Testing the cooling system pressure, Replacing the faulty thermal switch, Verifying fan operation, Full system inspection for any related damage The entire repair took about 4 hours at the shop. Its important to address this promptly, as the cooling system is critical for engine longevity. The check engine light in these cases typically indicates the ECU has detected abnormal engine temperatures. While waiting for repairs, avoid heavy acceleration and monitor the temperature gauge closely. Consider carrying coolant as a precaution, though this is just treating symptoms rather than the root cause.

michaelschmitz69 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had almost identical symptoms with my Audi A8 last summer. The fan motor was indeed the main issue, though we also found some minor leaks in the car radiator that needed attention. Did you remember what the total repair cost was for your case? After my repair, the engine cooling system has worked flawlessly, but I am curious if you encountered any related issues since fixing the thermal switch and fan assembly? Also worth mentioning for others reading, my mechanic said this is fairly common in these models when they reach higher mileage, especially if regular cooling system maintenance was skipped.

benmystic2

The thermal switch repair on my A6 cost 250 Euro, which included the diagnostics and labor. Since getting it fixed, the engine cooling system has performed perfectly with no recurring issues. The radiator fan now kicks in exactly when it should, and the temperature gauge stays firmly in the normal range. The car overheating problems completely disappeared after the speed sensor was replaced. It was exactly as your mechanic mentioned, these issues tend to surface in higher mileage vehicles, particularly when maintenance intervals are stretched. For anyone following this thread: a properly functioning fan motor is crucial for engine cooling, especially during city driving or hot weather. When the radiator fan stops working correctly, it usually points to either a faulty speed sensor or worn fan blade assembly. Getting it diagnosed early saves both money and prevents potential engine damage.

michaelschmitz69 (Author)

My Audi A8 saga finally came to an end after visiting a certified shop last week. The radiator fan assembly needed replacement, plus they found and fixed minor coolant leaks in the car radiator. Total bill came to 780 Euro for parts and labor. The fan motor was completely shot, apparently a common issue at this mileage. The thermal switch also showed signs of wear, so they replaced that too while everything was apart. Smart move since fan noise had started getting louder before total failure. Good news is the engine cooling system now works perfectly. Temperature gauge stays steady, even in stop-and-go traffic. No more check engine light either. The shop showed me the old parts, definitely got my moneys worth seeing how worn everything was. Just glad I caught it before any serious engine damage occurred. Regular cooling system checks are now permanently on my maintenance schedule. Sometimes paying a bit more for a proper fix saves money in the long run.

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