Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 14:51:48 -0400
Reply-To: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: Re: Tempurature
Mmmmmm, first is don't agree on all point my dear Karl
>> = Karl wrote
>>Usually you are a source of good information, but this time, not so good.
Thanks and not so thanks(he he he, lol)
>>First, the high-speed fan kicks in at the correct temperature;
3/4 is to hot for me, sorry. I have a new front radiator and a new thermo
switch! (+ most cooling parts where change). My van temperature is like
before I do the overall cooling job. Gauge is in the lower parts of the
coolant level light when on highway and on the upper parts of this one when
in heavy traffic)
>that is when climbing a long steep grade or a similar situation where the
engine is being stressed beyond normal limits.
Yes and in very hot condition / heavy traffic, the lower speed is sometime
not enough, adding a manual switch for the high speed (so she start sooner)
to maintain the temp at half-gauge in the dash is only a +.
I have climb very long and steeps mountains last year (see my site) at very
hot temperature 98-104F and never I had the temperature rising to more than
half the gauge, never. So I don't see how the fan would go on when climbing
if you have air going into the front rad??? As you are going forward!
As an example: Last summer in the Nevada desert, the temperature was about
104F, on freeway the needle was at the same position that when I was in
Oregon at 55F (lower parts of the coolant level light)
>>The Vanagon cooling system works quite well, and really does not need to
be tinkered with.
I do agree and I respect your opinion! But on my van I like to see the
needle in the middle in heavy traffic, so I "tinkered" (nice word) the
system so I can control the high speed of the fan. I kept the original
thermo switch wiring to the fan motor, I just added a bypass switch.
>>You may drive it all day with the gauge at 3/4. Nothing really wrong
with that.
That, I don't agree at all, sorry my friend! (You should check your
system!)
>>Should it continue to climb above that point, it is good to keep a
sharp eye on it, and be prepared to pull over IMMEDIATELY should you get
the
dreaded blinking red LED.
What led are you talking about, the LEVEL cooling LED, I said level! If
there is a second diagram (engine temp/cooling level light) going to this
light I would like to know. For now I just see the cooling level sender
relate to this one! If there is a second light, I would like to know also!
(87GL)
>>Second, if you choose to use the lower temperature thermostat, be
prepared
to lose about 2 miles per gallon of gas. The entire fuel injection system
is tuned for the correct t'stat.
That I partially agree, especially if you run the engine to cold. Now tell
me why 3(2 new and the old one) 87deg thermostat from VW are opening at
different temperature? The 2 new at about 92/95deg and the old one at
85/87deg.
This is only a discussion by all mean; I am not trying to argue with
anybody (Karl) at all and I hope that this discussion will help other.
This is only my point of view and my moderate experience on the subject.
Sincerely, Ben (Freedom of speech gentlemen)