Howard, I think your friend is somewhat of an alarmist, or had a cooling problem that could have been easily fixed by finding/fixing the underlying problem. I've had my 1.9L '85 Westie for four years now. All cooling parts are stock, though I did replace all the hoses (old and squishy) and the reservoir (cracked it while changing hoses) when I bought it. I also replaced the water pump about two years ago (when it commenced squealing). I've taken this machine cross-country, so I've had it on long climbs, at multiple altitudes and all seasonal conditions with no cooling problems whatsoever... in fact, the high-speed fan has only needed to kick on a handful of times (I hear it a time or two a year, generally while sitting in traffic). The short answer is that the cooling system has *much* more capacity than your 1.9L engine needs, as long as it is working properly. The only real problem is the length of the system, and number of hoses/connections... this leaves lots of opportunity for a sudden coolant dump, especially if you are still running the 20-year-old factory hoses. Overheated wasserboxers can warp heads, so if the hoses are old, change 'em!
At 04:30 PM 9/13/2005 -0400, Howard Allen wrote: >Wish I had an aircooled but since I don't I would like to get as much >information about my "new" watercooled baby. Talking with a long-time >1.9L VW van owner the following opinions were expressed. Would appreciate >the List's feedback. > >1. The fan sensor switch is too low in the radiator to do a good job >preventing overheating during low speed travel [therefore install a manual >override switch]? >2. The water pump does not flow enough coolant during idling in stop and >go driving [this guy installed a smaller pulley onto the waterpump shaft - >is this recommended?]. >3. Radiator cooling capacity is insufficient during high ambient temps >while endeavoring to climb 7% or greater grades [therefore install a >larger radiator]? >4. Highway speeds of greater than 65 MPH will result in headgasket >failure caused by overheating? >5. The factory temperature guage is not a reliable indicator of >dangerously high coolant temperature - anything past half way actually >indicates an over temp condition that should be addressed by pulling over >and shutting down the engine immediately? > >Best Regards >Howard Allen >S. Portland, Maine > >"Don't tread on me." |
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