Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2018 11:54:14 -0500
Reply-To: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: It's cold out there
In-Reply-To: <0d1a01d38433$04ebb0f0$0ec312d0$@gmail.com>
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Right you are Stuart. I know not to try to put on the heat until the needle is at least half way to the red light. The engine, IMHO, needs to come to temp to run correctly, and we humans must generate our own heat, or put on a good coat, until that engine warms up a bit.
Dave B.
-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tue, Jan 2, 2018 8:34 pm
Subject: Re: It's cold out there
The Vanagon cooing system bypasses the thermostat to send heated coolant to the heaters when their valves are open and the engine is cold. This can be a problem for warm up when it's as cold as it is now because the recirculated coolant from the heaters will cause the thermostat to open, but then it can lower the temp too much from the quick dump of really cold coolant. So, first try blocking off the front grilles. Cover one or both until you can run at the proper temp. If you are below zero, you may need to remove the grilles and put cardboard over part or all of the radiator.
You might need a new thermostat, but try this first. Only buy the OEM 'stat though, no aftermarket versions, per Dennis's experience.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET
Sent: Tuesday, January 2, 2018 11:12 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: It's cold out there
Ford battery died and the Bus (Vanagon) has been put into extra service. Always starts right up, hope I didn't put a whammy on myself with that. Well, it's into the single and low double digits here in New England and I have noticed the Bus has a hard time maintaining heat to the interior. My temp gauge sits on the lower edge of the red light. It takes the normal 5 + minutes driving to warm up enough to move the gauge far enough off bottom to turn the heat on at all. I am considering constructing some sort of bra to go over the upper grille to decrease air flow over the radiator. First I thought I might post this question. Is this normal in the frigid cold? Have others experienced this? Could it be a malfunctioning thermostat? Does someone make said bra/cover? I await your reply.
Dave B.
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