In a message dated 1/12/04 2:16:31 PM, vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG writes: << Probably to prevent air locks. If there is a pocket of air next to the thermostat it will take a lot longer to open. >> Brownian Motion seems to be taking this thread to a conclusion. If there is a pocket of air next to a thermostat, the coolant system has not been filled properly. The small holes seen in the various control elements of a hydronic system are there to help in venting the air from the system when it is being filled. Once it has been filled, these vent holes have no effect in regulating the system. Filling a Vanagon cooling system in some manner even remotely akin to what is prescribed by the shop manual, does not require drilling a hole in the thermostat. If a vent hole were necessary, I assure you one would already be in the thermostat plate whenever the VW parts man handed it over the counter. Regarding the subject line: As an expediency while renewing the many bits and pieces of a Vanagon cooling system, I installed an aftermarket thermostat. Although it was marked with the correct temperature, the van ran too cool and within a week I replaced it with the original thermostat which had seen 127 Kmi. of service. Judging by that nuisance, I have to say that all thermostats are not equal. George |
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