Date:         Wed, 4 Oct 2023 20:54:16 +0000
Reply-To:     Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      87 Westfalia - Running hot?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

My ’87 Westfalia has about 50,000 miles on a Boston Bob rebuilt 2.1 liter waterboxer. The temperature gauge runs somewhat above the LED.  Over the years we have replaced the sender and the thermostat, and eventually the radiator and radiator pipes a couple of years ago.  (I’m leaving a lot out!).  The new radiator brought the needle down, but it still runs a bit over the LED.
Coming back from the WetWesties campout in Oregon, I spent some time going up steep forest service roads in 1st gear in mid-70s temperatures.  The needle went up close to the white line at the top, and the red light started flashing.  I pulled over and checked the overflow tank behind the radiator.  It had a reasonable amount of coolant in it, but I added some water while waiting for the engine to cool down.  The radiator fan kept running for a few minutes while I waited, so it’s not dead.  Oil level was normal.
Later in the day after a couple hundred miles of highway driving where the temp needle stayed as normal, above the LED, I drove north out of Lewiston Idaho up several miles of a significant grade, third gear about 50 mph.  The needle got up close to the top, the red light started flashing, but the needle didn’t get all the way to the white line.  Once I leveled out, it dropped and the red light stopped.
When I got home and unloaded, I checked the coolant tank in the engine bay and found it full.  The overflow tank was at a normal level, oil OK.  Removing the belt, I found the water pump turned smoothly with no sign of leakage.
So - I wonder, after the thermostat, sending unit and radiator, is my gauge reading hotter than it should or is there a real problem? Should I put in a real temperature gauge to see what’s happening or is there something else to check?

Mike Finkbiner
Moscow, ID
mike_l_f@hotmail.com

The chief goal of living is not merely to stay alive.
    - Mike Rowe