Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2022 10:17:54 -0600
Reply-To: Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM>
Subject: Re: On road, Having problem, coolant related
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR0801MB3731B9C51A3111C3A87CDCA9A05C9@CY4PR0801MB3731.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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Many years ago when I drove the van year-round up here in Canada I would just cover off the rad with cardboard. Made a world of difference. Everyone did it. Now that grills are more integrated it’s more difficult for many cars. Probably not a VW-approved solution.
Jeff in Winnipeg
Enduring an old-time winter this year
85 Westfalia with Boston Bob 2.1
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 21, 2022, at 6:43 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> As the Vanagon has such a massively, oversized cooling system along with an extremely large heater core, getting hit with cold outside air, keeping the engine up to temperature can be a challenge during very cold weather. VW became aware of this early on and the fix was the series "F" thermostat. This stat features a delayed but fast acting response to temp and the disc that seals the is further gasketed to prevent any bypass while closed. So do you have the correct t-stat? Further, for the correct stat if not of the Vanagon specific design, the lower disc can be too large diameter and cause the stat to wedge and get stuck open. Also, as the bypass will close too early from this excessive cooling will also result from the lack of mixing the hot coolant leaving the engine with the cold coolant coming from the radiator. The thermostat set up is really a mixing valve and part of the goal is for the coolant to always be flowing through the engine keeping the heads and case at the same temperature.
>
> Next, on top of the thermostat is that small hose and bypass valve. Make sure that valve is closed.
>
> Try closing the heater valve to see if that brings the temp up some and next step is block off part of the radiator.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Mark McCulley
> Sent: Friday, January 21, 2022 3:18 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: On road, Having problem, coolant related
>
> Thanks Ken. Not optimal, I know but is it safe to continue? Loaded up for 2 days camping with wife and dogs. 75 miles to destination, 40 to get home.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jan 21, 2022, at 12:11 PM, kenneth wilford <kenwilfy@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Sounds like thermostat has failed open.
>>
>> Ken
>>
>>>> On Fri, Jan 21, 2022, 3:04 PM Mark McCulley <markmcculley@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> This is a weird one.
>>>
>>> Coolant gauge started going LOWER while driving at 65mph for 30 min. Pulled over to check it out, by then gauge was like it was a cold engine.
>>>
>>> -GW expansion tank is full.
>>> -One of the 2 hoses from engine to radiator is cold.
>>> -Radiator is cold.
>>> -No coolant leaking.
>>> -Oil looks good
>>> -I opened bleed screw on radiator and no air, just coolant.
>>>
>>> After stopping 10 minutes I started van and temp came up to normal and radiator got hot. Then a get running a few minutes the temp gauge went back down.
>>>
>>> I recently had the entire cooling system renewed, new everything.
>>>
>>> I have the rear heater core out and both hoses are plugged
>>>
>>> Ideas?
>>>
>>> -Mark
>>> 87 Westy
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
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