Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 10:44:03 -0500
Reply-To: Max Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Max Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
Subject: Re: New to water cooled, temp questions(long response)
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FWIW, I have a water temp sensor that reads in F degrees on my FI
system(nonVW setup) and when the needle on the dash gauge is in the
middle(pretty normal to be a needle's width on either side of the red light)
on my 90 GL, the sensor reads about 196 degrees. When it gets to the top of
the red light or slightly above, it has gotten as high as 208. My oil temp
gets hotter than that, maybe up to 230 F, but to answer your question, when
idling, I would think you would be normal as when the radiator gets no
airflow, the temps are bound to increase a little. My reading were taken
during break in ofa freshly rebuilt engine and while driving in mid to upper
90's air temps. The Vanagon cooling system is complex, and needs attention.
Some simple pointers and guidelines:
1. Make sure your system has fresh coolant(I like the orange stuff from
Prestone) and that all the air is out of the system once it's flushed and
changed. The Bentley Manual explains this. Most oil change shops don't
have a clue how to do this properly and can burn up your engine.
2. If the alternator light comes on suddenly, STOP THE VAN AND CHECK IN THE
ENGINE HATCH!!
The belt that drives the alternator, also drives the water pump and we hear
repeatedly on this list of folks that shut down too late(ie after the temp
needle went ballistic).
3. Check the condition of your hoses. it's hard to tell how many have been
replaced on an 18 year old vehicle, and I think some of thje hoses for the
83.5 waterboxer are starting to get scarce. Check with Vanagain or Bus
Depot for details.
4.I would leave the on/off valve for the rear heater in the off position
unless you want to do the dry heat sauna while driving. They can leak over
time and create a stange sweet smell in the van. My heater also has a burp
valve in the top that belches air when replacing coolant. Don't confuse the
two, the on/off valve is on the passenger side on mine, at least.
5. I'm not familiar with the earlier WBX engines, so I don;t know what
valve you are talking about, but if pressed to guess, I would say it's
likely the bypass/bleed screw for the air, especially if it appears to be at
the highest point of the engine. The bypass screw(allows coolant past the
thermostat before it opens, used only when re filling an empty cooling
system) on my van is on top of the thermostat housing by the driver's side
of the tranny bellhousing. That may be what your screw in qustion is.
6. A complete re-hosing of the van is a pretty expensive endeavor, but
pales in comparison to the cost of a new motor. Check with the above
vendors mentioned for package deals on everything you need. Dealer hoses
are out of sight price wise.
Others are welcome to chime in here as I'm sure I've missed a couple of
major points.
Dimwitted Moose and Flying Squirrel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Becker" <abusguy2@SPRINGMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 9:33 AM
Subject: New to water cooled, temp questions
> Good Day guys & gals,
> I have recently gotten an '83 watercooled vanagon. This is the first
water cooled VW I have ever owned (I have had many air cooleds). The water
temp on this new van stays almost exactly half-way up the guage during
normal driving (with outside ambient temps in the mid-80's), and if idling,
it goes alittle above half way. First question: 1)Is this about normal. If
not, second question: 2) What can I do to help it run cooler. Third
question: 3)Back in the engine compartment attached to two of the larger
water hoses there is what appears to be a little black plastic wheel that
screws in and out. Is this some sort of valve, and where should it be
adjusted for coolest temps. and fourth question: 4) On the heater unit
under the rear seat, I notice that there is a valve that controls water to
this unit. For the engine to run coolest, should this valve be open,
allowing water to flow through the heater unit, or closed? Any advice on a
cooler running engine is greatly appreciated!
> !
> !Peace, JB
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