Date:         Thu, 21 Mar 2002 13:04:45 -0700
Reply-To:     STEPHANIE WOLZ <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         STEPHANIE WOLZ <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: First long trip in 82 diesel - coolant temp?
Comments: To: jon.sykes@PS.GE.COM

Anyway, I was wondering when I should start
> worrying.  Is 3/4 about as high as I should chance it?  When should the
fan
> kick in?  I didn't hear my radiator fan at all.  Is the light behind the
> coolant temp gauge for coolant level or coolant temperature?  Maybe I
should
> have the cooling system 'pressure tested' for piece of mind

Jon,

You''ll find that your van will find a spot on the gauge that it is happy
at, and most of your flatland touring (good air flow) will be done with the
needle at that level.  As you hit hills and the engine is working harder and
the van is moving more slowly (less air flow), it will begin to build some
heat and the gauge will go up.

You actually don't need to worry till the needle is all the way up and the
light starts flashing.  This is when you pull over IMMEDIATELY and let
things cool off.  Of course, when climbing a hill, it is good to keep an eye
on the gauge and know when it is getting close to this level.

The fan should kick in around halfway between the LED and the top of range,
and the high speed fan should kick in close to the top of the range.

It is always a good idea with a new-to-you vehicle to check the system out
so that you've established a baseline and you know when your van is behaving
in a noh-standard fashion.

Ken Wilford of VanAgain has an excellent fan/fan switch troubleshooting
guide on his website.

Happy touring!

Karl Wolz