How hot does your S8 run?

Suck, squeeze, bang, blow. Ideally in that order.
Post Reply
SharkGill
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:33 am
Location: Berkshire
Contact:

How hot does your S8 run?

Post by SharkGill »

Been meaning to ask for a few weeks. With recent temperatures regularly in the 30s I’ve noticed my coolant temperature hitting upto around 110 during ‘spirited’ drives. Poodling around in traffic the temps go back down to the normal 90 ish so I think water pump is functioning correctly. I did try testing the viscous fan clutch with the old newspaper method and I was able to stop it. Also haven’t heard the normal loud woosh from the fan at any point when they usually are engaged. Thoughts anyone?
The_Laird
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Jun 12, 2024 9:35 am
Location: Redmile NG13 0GA

Re: How hot does your S8 run?

Post by The_Laird »

I’ve had similar problems a couple of times in my ownership and it’s been either thermostat/pump (when a garage fitted non-Audi parts) or the fan. Apart from that, My S8 sits at 90 even in the recent heatwaves.
2002 Final Edition S8. Ebony black with Silver Grey leather and myrtle wood trim.
MikkiJayne
Posts: 241
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2023 6:26 pm

Re: How hot does your S8 run?

Post by MikkiJayne »

Mine runs at 90, always. Even 30 degrees ambient in attack mode round the Nurburgring :D

If its at 110 both fans should be on max speed and sounding like jet engines. Sounds like the viscous clutch is not clutching, and possibly the electric fan is also having issues. The electric fan should come on at speed 1 with the AC. It then uses the thermoswitch in the rad for speed 2, and the cluster has an 'oh shit' trigger for speed 3 which should definitely be on at 110 - pretty sure the set point for that is 105.

I have an electric fan conversion instead of the visco and mine will sit there with both fans on #1, even in this weather.
SharkGill
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:33 am
Location: Berkshire
Contact:

Re: How hot does your S8 run?

Post by SharkGill »

Thanks for the input reveryone. I’ll be changing viscous clutch, waterpump and thermostat soon. Second pic is a short drive through town traffic, first pic is after a spirited drive for 10 miles on the M4 (15mins apart) Temps are definitely not as they should be
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
SharkGill
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:33 am
Location: Berkshire
Contact:

Re: How hot does your S8 run?

Post by SharkGill »

MikkiJayne wrote: Tue Aug 18, 2026 11:08 am Mine runs at 90, always. Even 30 degrees ambient in attack mode round the Nurburgring :D

If its at 110 both fans should be on max speed and sounding like jet engines. Sounds like the viscous clutch is not clutching, and possibly the electric fan is also having issues. The electric fan should come on at speed 1 with the AC. It then uses the thermoswitch in the rad for speed 2, and the cluster has an 'oh shit' trigger for speed 3 which should definitely be on at 110 - pretty sure the set point for that is 105.

I have an electric fan conversion instead of the visco and mine will sit there with both fans on #1, even in this weather.
Funny coincidence, I just came back from the Nurburgring this weekend. My first time on track so I took the V5 Golf, had a blast. The plan was to take the S8 but I still need to do front suspension arms and I have the temperature issue. I was also considering an electric fan conversion but I guess it’s not really needed for a daily driver.
racetracker_51735552_736853.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Post Reply