Date:         Wed, 3 Jul 2002 03:48:02 -0400
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: continuing almost overheating problem.

Hi Markus,

I saw your post on the archives and had to tell you that you're most likely
worrying about nothing.

There IS NO first overheat mark, nor a second one.  If you are overheating,
the red LED flashes and you should pull over immediately.  You should be
aware of what your engine temperature is, but you should not be freaking
out over it.  When at cruising speed, the temp will generally stay
somewhere around the LED.  Over three different vans, my temp needles have
been in three different locations as "normal".

When you are in stop and go traffic or climbing a long hill, the temp will
normally start to creep up a bit.  As it warms up, the cooling fan will
turn on to provide extra air flow to cool the radiator.  This is NOT an
indication of overheating, but a sign that things are working as they
should.  All of my vans hate yard saling, BTW, and the temp guage will
climb and the fan cycle on and off all morning - this is normal operation
and the result of lack of air circulation in addition to the load of
accelerating a heavy and large brick-shaped vehicle again and again in
residential areas.

Ben is correct in that, for the amount of money a water pump costs versus
the labor to install it, it is poor practice to use a used water pump -
even a nearly new one.  If, however, yours is not leaking, you most likely
won your gamble on that one.

Good luck,

Karl Wolz