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Date:         Fri, 25 Jan 2013 08:52:51 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE/Running Cold?
Comments: To: phishman068@GMAIL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <A911EE5E-3E67-4069-B610-A06D6673AB15@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I've had a surprising number of aftermarket thermostats not work properly over the years. Quality control is non-existent on some of these parts. Your high speed temp drop points to the T stat not cycling or opening too far at speed, which is pumping the coolant through the valve at higher pressure and perhaps holding it fully open. T stats are constantly adjusting, or should be, to keep the engine temp constant.

Change it to what Dennis recommends.

Stuart '85 Westy

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Craig Cowan Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:00 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE/Running Cold?

Hmm.... It is an aftermarket thermostat but stock temp and speced for the Vanagon. It was stamped Germany and the club installed it, getting the seal of approval by several members. It also did operate as expected, and it works fine up to 60mph. Odd....

-craig

On Jan 24, 2013, at 2:18 PM, David Milo <dellaone@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> From a post on 12/12/12 from Dennis Haynes: What are you referring to > as high temperature? The stock Thermostat rating is 87C, (188F). That > is plenty and should be used all year. From experience, the most > consistent acting and best response are the ones from the dealer. > (???). Of the features of the part the top control disc has a rubber > gasket to ensure no leak by when it is closed. Next choice would be > the Wahler, (German). I have had some Mehle that fit but they may be coming from unknown sources. > If you do go to a parts store, almost all will sell you the wrong > stat. The lower disc will be the wrong diameter. If the listing > includes some Audi or other vehicles it is wrong. > The confusion comes from the practice that T-stats get listed for > vehicles based on just a few specifications. Usually the top housing > diameter is the key. Vlave types, bypasses, bleeds, lengths and other features get lost. > This is a real problem even in American vehicles, trucks, RV's that > need stats with more flow and thus use a different design such as > umbrella instead of disc. The wrong stat may jam partly open and/or > not open far enough for proper cooling. > > Dave Milo > > On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 2:10 PM, David Milo <dellaone@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Aftermarket thermostat? Could be malfunctioning. I have read many >> times from Dennis Haynes that most aftermarket thermostats do not fit >> or operate properly. Extreme conditions could exacerbate that. >> >> Dave Milo >> >> On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 1:23 PM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> I am reluctant to reply to this Craig but is it possible, even at >>> 15deg, that it's just because it's cold? >>> >>> Gertie runs the temp gauge dead on center - consistantly, until this >>> week >>> - >>> it's been very cold here this week ranging from about 2deg to 15 or >>> so - the needle is running at about 1/4 - 1/3 and cabin heat is >>> there but not as it was. Again, I could be talking out my backside >>> but it sort of made sense to me - thinking about trying the >>> cardboard trick myself just to see if it helps. >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Jeff >>> '85 GL (Gertie) >>> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus >> >>


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