Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2003 12:30:52 -0700
Reply-To: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: 2.1L coolant light problem
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I have always observed that there is a bit of a
disconnect between what you see as an engine
temperature(the light) and what the fan in the front
is doing(sensor system with three speed fan). I
suspect the temperature sensor for the fan is poorly
placed.
One is tempted to argue that what is seen on the
temperature gauge is more important than what the fan
is doing upfront. Both are of importance however
what is most important is that the van does not loose
coolant. Any amount of coolant loss is unaceptable,
especially if the engine appears to be running hot or
the fan is on all the time.
If you are sporting ac with the three speed fan
you may find that by turning the ac on a higher cold
setting, medium speed in areas without too many hills
that you may exhibit a lowered engine temperature
reading due to the cycling of the ac promoted fan use.
As you begin to climb hills you may hear the high
speed fan kick on.
gary
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2003 10:30:25 -0400
From: Joe Chasse <chassehsd@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: 2.1L coolant light problem
I agree with Jim.....sounds like a fan problem
Had a very similar problem myself recently with my 90
water-cooled
Carat.
My VW mechanic (Ken Nethkin in Fishersville, VA)
replaced the sending
unit
and it seemed to fix the problem initially (I could
hear the fan come
on).
However I was still unhappy with the temperature the
van would run in
traffic so he actually replaced the thermostat in the
engine....seems
that
by default it was rated to keep the coolant in the
engine till it
reached
190 deg. So he swapped it out for a unit rated to 180
deg (kept the
old one
to switch out if needs be during the winter). He also
put a manual
switch
in so I could engage the fan manually if I was getting
a bit anxious in
traffic).
Ken Wilford has a quick and easy way to trouble shoot
the radiator fan
system at
http://www.vanagain.com/How2fan.htm
Best luck to your friends
Joe Chasse
90 Carat, Charlottesville VA
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