Thermostats are almost like snowflakes. No tow are identical in operation. They often change over time. The temp gauge also is not a precision device. It is also designed to respond slowly so you don’t see the temp sings with load and speed changes. When all is well it is normal for the needle to sit near the top or just above the LED. Use an infrared heat gun to check temp at the coolant water pump feed pipe. Most likely the new Wahler T-stat is working as it should. Dennis
-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Harold Teer Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2015 2:57 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Water temp increase after changing hoses, thermostat, and plastic parts Up until the coolant tower, the thermostat housing, and numerous hoses around the engine area were recently replaced, the water temp needle sat at the bottom part of the LED. My memory is that is where it has always been on this van since I purchased it with about 50K on the odometer. I do know the thermostat was changed at about 90K with a dealer thermostat and this recent change was at 160K. The new thermostat was a Wahler purchased from one of our regular vendors. The engine has never overheated even when going over high mountain passes in hot weather. Should I just assume I had an old lazy thermostat that was opening too soon and the new thermostat is working properly? Or, should I just order a thermostat from the dealer? Or any other thoughts would be appreciated. Harold Harold Teer 1991 Westy -- VANGAUX Harrisonburg, VA |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.