Date:         Mon, 12 May 2003 06:42:30 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: heating issue on 85
Comments: To: Martinez <mart1nez@PACBELL.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Could be lots of things.

BE sure your coolant is the proper ratio - 50/50 water/coolant.

Listen for the fan. In warm weather in normal operation the needle will
go just above the low coolant warning light, and you should hear the fan
first stage cycle on and off .... not to loud, but you can hear it. If
overheating, the second stage should kick in and IT IS LOUD!! Can't
miss. If as you say you are getting overheating - needle closer to the
top than the middle of the gage, and that fan has not kicked in sounding
like a jet taking off - then you definitely have a cooling fan problem.

Also possible is the water pump is worn and not enough coolant is
circulating fast enough. That is a bit of a stretch however.

My first Vanagon was and 85 GL with 100,000 miles on it. After getting
the new ownership bugs worked out, I put another trouble free 115,000 on
it. That little 1.9L engine was running strong and was only beginning to
use a little oil. Never had a lick of trouble from it. Stout engine,
stout van.

Good luck in you hunt, and enjoy your new van.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Martinez wrote:

>New to list (Migrant from the type2.com list)
>
>I am the new proud owner of a 1985 gas powered, water cooled, 1.9 liter Weekender Vanagon.
>
>The van runs hot and the temperature gauge runs close to maximum in stop and go traffic and cools down at highway temperatures (just the opposite of my 1970 bay).  I figure the electric fan isn't kicking in.  I don't have the Bentley manual yet but figure I can, through trial and error, disassemble the front grill and get access to the fan.  Now if I can convince myself that the fan actually works, then I figure it has got to be the thermostat switch.  Does this line of reasoning seem reasonable?, are thermostat switches known for failing?, is this a huge undertaken?, Do you have any words of wisdom or advice?  I've only had this bus for about two weeks and so am definitely green and appreciative of any advice.
>
>Thanks for your time,
>
>Juan
>
>
>