Date:         Fri, 24 Jan 2003 09:48:26 -0500
Reply-To:     ian Butler <ian@BLUEMOON.HPLX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         ian Butler <ian@BLUEMOON.HPLX.NET>
Subject:      Re: just how COLD is IT?
Comments: To: Jay Brown <jayb@COEDSPORTSWEAR.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <000901c2c3b2$9abbf740$082aa8c0@mystation.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Fri, 24 Jan 2003, Jay Brown wrote:

>         A quick scan of the digital thermometer tells me that we hit -9F
> last night in Newmarket, NH.  The 15-20MPH winds we have been having for
> the past few days make it even more enjoyable to be outside.

It's a balmy 17 degrees Fahrenheit in Detroit right now.  Much better than
yesterday... of course, having grown up in Wyoming, SE MI winters have been
pretty mild.  Scarcely drops below zero.. what's the fun in that? :)

I keenly remember one frigid night in Casper with my '77 Rabbit.  About
10:00, totally dark, snowing, a foot of snow already on the roads (in town)
and forty below.  The car started and ran immediately, like it had mistaken
the bitter conditions for a warm summer's day.  (The driver, on the other
hand, was bundled up and shaking like mad.)  Volkswagen, if nothing else,
seems to have winter reliability down pat.

>         Anyone have any tricks for quieting down the alternator belt on cold days?
> Belt tension and condition is good.  Only makes nasty noises when it is
> below freezing and goes away for the most part after the engine is fully
> warmed up.  Will a spray on belt dressing help with this?

Think of it this way: the friction will warm up the belt faster!

I've just learned to put up with minor complaints from the accessories in
the morning.  All the cars I've ever seen do it just the same, even new ones
with serpentine rat-mazes.

ian Butler / ian@bluemoon.hplx.net
'88 Scirocco 16v, '87 Syncro GL