Date:         Wed, 25 Apr 2001 06:49:18 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Arbaugh <sneakers@oz.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Arbaugh <sneakers@oz.net>
Subject:      Re: Emergency engine cooling - a common problem?

I'll agree with Mark on this one. From what I've seen on my '85, the needle
plants itself on top of the led. In traffic, I might see the needle climb so I
can see half the led, but that's about it. I've never had my radiator fan come
on while sitting in traffic, and this includes middle of summer here in
Seattle (mid to upper 90's). My temp does go up when I'm climbing hills in a
low gear, hence low speed and low air flow thru the radiator. In these
situations, I turn on my a/c fan on low speed, not the compressor, and this
activates the rad fan low speed which keeps the temps where they belong.

I recently replaced the radiator in my Audi, which was running the rad fan
probably 50% of the time. With the new rad, the car rarely gets up to the "fan
on" temp. I was actually able to feel cold spots on the radiator where it was
fouled and plugged. Perhaps the same is happening on your vanagons?

I'm driving my westy today, and now that I've typed and posted this, I fully
expect to blow a hose or something on the way home today.

steve
'85 westy
kent, wa

>From: Mark Drillock <drillock@earthlink.net>
>This is not normal for an 85 or any other waterboxer Vanagon. There is a
>cooling fan on the radiator for just such situations. Whenever there is
>not enough road speed to blow sufficient air through the radiator the
>fan should come on. Do you hear it in stop and go traffic? If not, this
>should be fixed. The fan and it's wiring circuit are easily checked. If
>these are ok, the likely culprit is the temperature switch for the fan.
>It is behind the lower grill on the front driver's side of the radiator.
>These are not expensive.
>
>Mark
>