Date:         Mon, 20 Dec 2004 09:08:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Thermostat,temp2
Comments: To: Darren Lastfogel <dlastfogel@PLYFORMS.COM>

> Good morning
>  Today we were in the single digits (6), warmed up the van no problem and
> it ran fine but as I was travling into work the temp guage kept droping
> until it started to run rough. I pulled over let it warmup and it ran fine
> until the temp droped again . What is your opinion? I replaced the temp 2
> about 3 months ago.
> Darren
> Lowell MI
> 84 GL

Your thermostat is sticking and requires replacement.  Meanwhile, you can
remove the upper grille, place cardboard in front of the radiator so that it
covers about 3/4 of the radiator's fins, then reinstall the grille.  Not a
good permanent fix ... but will allow you to drive the van until you can
replace the T-stat.  It's not good for the engine to run it too cold.  Drive
van ... watch temp gauge ... adjust as necessary.

  I had a thermostat in my '84 that stuck open in the winter ... while I was
driving from Virginia to Maine.  I had some cardboard under the rear carpet
(just over the engine bay) that I kept there in case I needed something to
lay on while effecting roadside repairs.  I'm sure glad I had it with me.  I
was then able to drive at normal speeds without the engine losing power and
I had heat inside.  At speed, the temp gauge was reading about where it did
with a working thermostat.

Mike
Houlton, Maine
'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy