Date:         Mon, 29 Sep 2003 13:14:40 -0400
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: fan switch or sensor
Comments: To: Matthew <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <3F785E39.7010103@uidaho.edu>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Mon, 29 Sep 2003, Matthew wrote:

> yes, but it is stupid. On the a2's the fan will pull air through the
> radiator and over the engine to cool it. Whereas the vanagon will pull
> air over the radiator but that air doesn't get over the engine nor does
> the coolant cycle. What is needed is a small electric pump that will
> cycle coolant while the after-run coolant fan is on.  Unless there is
> enough thermo-syphoning going on to make it work. Doubt it.

I think the kindest thing you could do for your van is to drive it gently
in the last few minutes before shutting down, or, if that's not possible,
let it idle for a minute or so to keep the coolant circulating and let the
temperature stabilize.

One time I was bucking a heavy headwind in my diesel.  An "if this gets
stronger, I may not be able to pull fourth gear" sort of headwind.  I was
going 50-55 mph under heavy throttle, and the water temperature was
slightly above what I normally see but not enough to worry about.  I
pulled off into a parking lot and immediately shut off the engine.  A few
minutes later, when I turned the key back on, the temperature was much
higher than I'd like to see.  (On diesels the temperature sensor is on the
head, so it reads accurately even if the coolant isn't circulating.)  I
don't see this in situations where I've been driving at in-town speeds or
the engine has been idling before shutdown.


David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si