Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:59:07 -0500
Reply-To: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Substitute for aircooled thermostat
In-Reply-To: <0f5801cbd29e$4fadff60$ef09fe20$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
You're right, many southern-based ACVW's have the flaps removed (not only
just 'disabled'). I've corrected many of these problems when I lived in
Phoenix, AZ.
It causes the same problems that removing a thermostat on a water-cooled
engine causes. Slow warm-up, possibly never coming up to proper operating
temps.
This causes little or no heat available for interior heating, rough running,
increased emissions, poor gas mileage, and increased engine wear, reducing
service life.
This can even result in overheating once up to temp. The flaps act as air
guides, directing, dividing and proportioning cooling air to specific areas
of the cylinder heads.
Without flaps in place, air takes the path of least resistance, and bypasses
some critical head fins entirely. Overall, it's a big mistake to run
without proper cooling.
Mike B.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Hargrave
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 9:39 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Substitute for aircooled thermostat
I know, the flap acts as a air restrictor until the engine comes up to
temperature then it opens. It's more of a engine warm-up aide than a
temperature control thermostat.
The assembly was disabled in both of the type 1's I had and it's disabled in
my Son's type 1. It's a common practice here in the South.
But a true thermostat modulated flapper would be nice up north in the
winter. A friend of mine and I played with a few back home in NY and when it
got really sub-zero cold the engine never did warm up right.
Tom
www.towercooler.com
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Richard Jones
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 8:01 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Substitute for aircooled thermostat
I think the thermostat doesn't move the flaps after
engine warm-up. It just helps the warm-up happen
faster.
How about an old-fashioned "choke cable" from under
the driver seat to move the flaps? Do they even
make choke cables anymore? I put one on my '61 bus
when the Solex choke didn't work right....
I think I have the bug thermostat on my '81. Is that
NLA, too?
Richard
_____
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3458 - Release Date: 02/21/11