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alinaschulz2

VW Taos Engine Temp Issues Post Mechanic Service

After a sketchy mechanic visit, my car is acting weird with temperature readings. The engine needs forever to warm up and throws a check engine light. Could this be a cooling grille issue? Running a 2021 VW Taos with gas engine at 138969km. Anyone dealt with similar cooling system problems and can recommend a reliable fix? Starting to worry about potential engine overheating if left unchecked.

4 comment(s)

maximilianneumann1

Running a 2018 VW Tiguan, I encountered similar engine cooling issues. The symptoms match what turned out to be a faulty thermostat and restricted airflow through the cooling grille system. The slow warmup combined with check engine warnings typically points to thermal management problems. In my case, the radiator blockage was caused by debris accumulation behind the cooling grille, but the main culprit was the thermostat staying stuck open. This prevented proper engine temperature regulation. The fix required: Complete thermostat replacement, Cleaning of cooling grille and radiator area, Recalibration of engine management system, Clearing fault codes This was a serious issue requiring immediate attention since improper thermal management can lead to increased fuel consumption and potential engine damage. The check engine light specifically related to the cooling system fault codes P0128 and P0115. Would strongly recommend having a certified technician perform a cooling system pressure test and electronic diagnostic scan. These symptoms should not be ignored as they can indicate various underlying issues with the thermal management system.

alinaschulz2 (Author)

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair info on the cooling system issues. The symptoms you described match what I experienced. Did you remember roughly how much the thermostat replacement and radiator grille cleaning ended up costing? Also curious if you had any other temperature-related problems pop up since getting it fixed. My mechanic quoted me 450€ for similar work but wanted to get a sense if that sounds reasonable.

maximilianneumann1

Thanks for asking about the repair costs. Since having the cooling grille restriction cleared and getting the thermal management system fixed, my Tiguan has been running perfectly with no temperature issues. The cooling system repair totaled around 400€, which included the thermostat replacement, system cleaning, and diagnostic work. A blown fuse also needed replacement which added 52€ to the bill. The 450€ quote you received sounds reasonable considering current parts and labor rates. The thorough cleaning of the cooling grille and radiator area is crucial preventive maintenance to avoid future engine overheating problems. Regular inspection of these components helped prevent any recurring issues in my case. Getting it fixed by a qualified technician was worth every cent since proper thermal management is essential for engine longevity. Just make sure they perform a complete system pressure test after repairs to confirm everything is working correctly.

alinaschulz2 (Author)

Thanks for the input. Finally got my car back from a certified VW shop. The mechanic found the thermostat was indeed stuck open, causing the weird temperature behavior. They also discovered leaves and debris clogging the radiator grille, restricting proper airflow through the cooling system. Total repair came to 425€ including: New thermostat installation, Complete cooling system flush, Cleaning of radiator grille and surrounding area, Computer reset to clear fault codes After a week of driving, the engine warms up normally now and the check engine light stays off. The thermal management seems spot on with no more temperature fluctuations. Definitely worth getting it properly diagnosed rather than letting potential engine overheating issues develop. Really glad I didn't ignore those early warning signs. A properly functioning cooling system is crucial for engine health. Just scheduled regular maintenance checks to prevent future buildup in the radiator grille area.

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