Date:         Tue, 13 Sep 2005 10:39:35 -0400
Reply-To:     "John W. Parkins" <JParkins@RTHCORP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John W. Parkins" <JParkins@RTHCORP.COM>
Subject:      How hot is your coolant?
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hello All, I've been trying to determine the normal operating temperature of
my coolant in my '87 Westy. The thermostat "starts" to open at 185 F
according to Hayes manual. Therefore, the temp is greater than 185 F if you
are to get ANY use out of your heaters. The thermostat is fully open at 221
F according to Hayes. I think the thermostat must be fairly well open if you
are to get any reasonably heating in the cabin. In addition, the radiator
fan kicks in between 192 and 201 F. Now, the coolant in the radiator will be
cooler than the coolant at the thermostat housing due to the cooling effects
of the radiator fins, even when there is no airflow over the radiator. The
fan often kicks in when idle for long periods. So the coolant temp at the
thermostat must be over 192-201 F under these conditions. Note that the 2nd
speed kicks in between 203 and 223 F. Thus, the coolant at the thermostat
must be higher than this when the second fan kicks in.

I checked the temperature of my coolant in the coolant tank (not overflow
reservoir) to be 210F. I think this is high, but not high enough to do any
damage to the engine. The needle reads pretty high on the gauge. I asked a
dealer, and he said that the coolant could easily reach 210F, but I'm not
convinced.

Anybody have data on the coolant temperature during idle after warm up or
any other info? I'm trying to determine if my temperature reading system is
working correctly. So far, the sender and gauge seem to be OK. Maybe it is
the electronics for the low level indicator that is throwing things off.
These electronics tie into the temperature sender signal.

Any thoughts on this issue would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
JP