Date:         Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:41:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@Q.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@Q.COM>
Subject:      Re: About coolant
In-Reply-To:  <BAY0-PAMC2-F18Bip3s0020e726@bay0-pamc2-f1.Bay0.hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> Date:    Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:22:09 -0800
> From:    Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
> Subject: Re: About coolant
>
> --snip-- =20
> As long as your cooling system is adequate (e.g. not a stock vanagon in =
> the desert)=20
> --snip--
>
> I think my radiator is operating at less than optimum efficiency, but =
> even with that on my gauge the bottom of the needle sits right at or =
> slightly above the LED on 110F days in in-town traffic. The fan comes =
> on, the needle holds, and all is normal. At highway speeds it generally =
> sits right on the LED, even when it's that hot out. During this cool =
> weather it's been staying on the LED.=20
>
> On the climb up Sherman's Pass (north of Bishop) with five people, a dog =
> and all of our camping gear, the needle went near the top of the gauge =
>

How does one equate overheating multiple times, requiring pulling over
and stopping, with *adequate* cooling?  Sort of the definition of
inadequate IMO.  I always had that exact problem with my WBX climbing
much of anything in 100-110°F+ weather, or say fighting a headwind
through Indio in August, etc.  Not to mention that the A/C was unusable
most of July and August here in Phoenix due to overheating issues - even
at highway speeds, and that was with a new radiator and water pump.

After driving 9 years here with a WBX, and now 7 years with a Tiico
conversion, there is no comparison.  The I-4 never overheats on any long
pull, no matter what the ambient, using the same radiator, and under the
same conditions, that had the WBX overheating big time .  Hence my use
of the "stock vanagon" description.  The Tiico brings with it a host of
other charming "features" of course, but at least overheating isn't one
of them.

Maybe you've been luckier than I, but inadequate cooling was *always* an
issue with my WBX'er, the prime reason I did the conversion instead of a
WBX rebuild. Not sure I got the better side of that deal, but 'you pays
your money and you takes your chances'.  But it runs cool.... ;-)

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)