Error code P3081 & P2181

[je66b]

hi, saw a lot of posts about these codes but none of them seemed to give a solution to my particular situation so i compiled all my symptoms for whoever feels like helping

k so i got those codes, problems are, temp sensor, thermostat, coolant level, engine too cold

first off, my coolant level is fine, im a good 3-4 inches above the min bar

my ECT is the green top, i read those were better than the black but the ECT is mentioned a lot more than the thermostat on the read outs i got from the diagnostic..

my engine goes to 190 and doesnt pass that temp, i notice that the hose that goes to the top of the coolant reserve is trickling coolant into it once the temp gauge reaches a quarter to halfway. and continues to do it once it reaches 190, although the coolant doesnt go up, it sort of stays at the same level once it reaches a certain point (it was lower when i started the car and leveled out as it ran)

i just got the timing belt water pump changed 2000 miles ago, yes, i got a metal impeller pump

at 190 my fan doesnt turn on (although im not entirely sure its supposed to) when i turn my ac to cold and set my fan to 1 both my radiator fan AND my ac fan turn on.. from what i notice it doesnt seem to affect my engine temp.

i also read about performance loss, it feels like i lost a little power, though i drive like a granny and only really drive to and from work which is about 2 miles a day, so i cant be all entirely sure about that fact

when i turn my heater on the air is warm but not blazing hot


any advice you guys can give would be great, im gonna be starting a new job soon which is an hour drive through a heavy traffic tunnel and last thing i need is to miss this opportunity cause of my car.. im really hoping its the sensor cause the thermostat is gonna be a pain to change whether i get it paid for or do it myself, i lack the funds and the tools, so im screwed both ways

[vdubtech398]

It would be nice to know what kind of car and engine??P2181 is usually T-stat related. If you knew somone with a vag com the could scan it and look at OBD2 freeze frame data and see that p2181 fault was most likely set at a below normal engine operating temp. This indicating the t-stat is stuck/sticking open causing the engine temp to drop setting the fault. Replace T-stat. Green ECT are an updated sensor from the black ones.

[je66b]

It would be nice to know what kind of car and engine??P2181 is usually T-stat related. If you knew somone with a vag com the could scan it and look at OBD2 freeze frame data and see that p2181 fault was most likely set at a below normal engine operating temp. This indicating the t-stat is stuck/sticking open causing the engine temp to drop setting the fault. Replace T-stat. Green ECT are an updated sensor from the black ones.

its an 02 1.8t gti, sorry i thought i put that in there lol, i bought a new ect and i guess ill get the stuff to install a new thermostat, what negatives will come out of driving the car? i wont be able to change it for a few days cause of rain and i have things to do and am pretty much carless without mine in operation

[vdubtech398]

Possibly worse gas mileage, not enough to notice i dont think tho. you wont harm anything.

[je66b]

Possibly worse gas mileage, not enough to notice i dont think tho. you wont harm anything.

i can live with that as long as my engine doesnt explode, im leaving to buy the thermostat in a few minutes, appreciate your input