Date:         Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:32:42 +1000
Reply-To:     Stephen Overmyer <S.OVERMYER@UWS.EDU.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Overmyer <S.OVERMYER@UWS.EDU.AU>
Subject:      Re: Temp Gauge
In-Reply-To:  <200704191622.l3JGMPXQ019129@cooper.uws.edu.au>
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Date:    Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:38:36 -0400
From:    Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Temp Gauge

Thanks, Mark.

By obsveration, I've noticed the difference between my '84s and my '85
is when the coolant level gets low on the '84s, and the red light
flashes, it will cause the temperature needle to peg to the hot side ...
even when it's not hot.  On the '85, the temperature needle does not peg
just because of low coolant level.

                                  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Speaking of the temp gauge...I have a recent anomaly with mine that
perhaps someone can shed some light on....(please)

Last year, my '92 WBX sat for a month or so while I was away and upon my
return, after starting it up again (with no problems) the coolant temp
light indicated the engine was taking a whole lot longer to warm up.
Thermostadt stuck open?
I presumed that and mileage over the next week or so before I had the
chance to get a new T-stadt was markedly down.
Also, the needle never got higher than halfway between the shaded area
on the left side of the gauge and the LED at 12 o'clock. 
All hallmarks of a stuck T-stadt so I replaced mine and re-bled the
cooling system. Idling in the drive way also confirmed the needle
reaching the 12 o'clock position and the fan kicking in so all seemed
well.

With the new T-stadt the mileage also immediately went back to my usual
10L/100km so that should have been the end of the story however....since
that time, whilst the engine warms up at a similar rate prior to the
T-stadt going bad, and mileage is back to normal, the temp needle only
ever reaches about 2/3rds of the way to the LED. A little higher in
traffic but definitely down on the previous needle position which was
just to the left of the LED, but with the leading edge of the needle
just "touching" the LED...if you know what I mean.

The van is running well, with consistent mileage again but... the needle
now residing at a lower position on the gauge than before the T-stadt
swap has me curious. Anybody have any idea WTF may be going on?
BTW, the heads are good and there are no coolant leaks.

Thanks,
Steve O
NSW Australia
'92 Transporter WBX Kombi
'00 Transporter Double Cab
'03 Transporter Double Cab (work truck)
'78 Land Rover 109 Series 3 soft top ute (ex-Aust.Army)
'07 Passat Variant TDI (on order from the Fatherland...hopefully here in
June)