Date:         Wed, 5 Jul 2006 14:00:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Kragen Sitaker <kragen@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kragen Sitaker <kragen@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: need new engine for air-cooled van (overheated one)
Comments: To: chris <vanagon@FRONTLEFTSPEAKERPOSSE.COM>

chris writes:
> (quoting Kragen)
> > Hmm, OK.  Well, the thermostat was actually missing, so this flap was
> > all the way down on top of the cooler:
> >
> > http://flickr.com/photos/blmurch/181761652/in/set-72157594187260002/
>
> A missing thermostat only means the motor is in 'always cool' mode, as
> that is the default position for the flaps to go into when the
> thermostat fails.
>
> An in tact thermostat holds the flaps open when the motor is cold, and
> as it expands it allows them to close the rest of the way and go back
> into cooling mode.
>
> Without a thermostat to pull the flaps closed when the motor cools off,
> they are simply held wide open in 'cool' mode.
>
> A working thermostat is only usefull to aid in the motor warmup process.

Not just the thermostat, but also the rod that rotates to control the
flaps, the spring that holds them in the default position, and the
other flap, are all missing.  Is the default position imposed by the
spring the "down" position illustrated in the photo, or an "up"
position that allows air to flow vertically through the oil cooler?