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Date:         Fri, 6 Oct 2023 23:05:21 +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:      Re: 87 Westfalia - Running hot?
In-Reply-To:  <CAK9Aa+nM0KWW9nrr8cK2ywk3Jzt0xE3Tx2XdpEM7sYcRvjVZQw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"


I checked the Catalytic Converter temps.  It’s running about 400° on the input side and 500° on the exhaust side.  Running around town the temp gauge never got more than a needle width above the LED.  The fan speed question is interesting, and could be an issue on back roads in 1st gear, but coming up Hwy 95 from Lewiston where it indicated quite hot, I was doing 50 so there should have been quite a lot of air movement.
I’ll poke around on the GoWesty site.
Does anyone know what the coolant hoses in the engine compartment should be running?  While sitting in the garage, mine were in the 190-200° range even though the gauge was showing about 7/8.


Mike Finkbiner
Moscow, ID
mike_l_f@hotmail.com




An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it makes a better soup.
    - H.L. Mencken
________________________________
From: Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 11:22 AM
To: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@hotmail.com>
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Subject: Re: 87 Westfalia - Running hot?


Hi Mike - I was holding out for other folks to chime in.  Given what you have done so far air seems less of a factor - imo.


I take it the fan is working at all stages or speeds?   You did say the fan came on when you were travelling slowly uphill but I am wondering if the high speed setting kicked in?


If you haven’t looked into it already - GoWesty has some good info on the workings of the cooling system and also the coolant temp sensor and some troubleshooting tips.  There is some info on high reading gauges and calibration.






Bruce


On Friday, October 6, 2023, Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@hotmail.com<mailto:mike_l_f@hotmail.com>> wrote:
I looked at the list and saw my reply to Bruce Todd CCd to the list got converted to a string of ASCII.  So - I'll send this direct and see what happens.  Stan suggested that I need to compare the input and output end of the catalytic converter, which I will do.


>>>>


Thanks for the suggestions.


I went for a drive, outside temps in the high 50s Came back with the temp gauge reading just above the LED.  The catalytic converter read 430-500° at various spots.  The exhaust pipe going into it read 470° and the OEM muffler 180-200°.


Raised the front a few inches and let things cool down a bit.  The inside coolant tank is full, the overflow tank at the Max level.  Started the engine and opened the bleeder valve on the radiator.  Immediately started dribbling fluid, no sign of air.  Ran up the engine, came back around front, still coolant coming out so I closed it down.


Used the IR thermometer to check various temps as the gauge ran up to above the LED.


Top of the radiator, about 115 on the passenger side, 110 on the drivers side.  In the engine compartment, looking towards the front the hoses coming into and out of the thermostat housing read about 190, except for the large one on the lower left, about 200°.


The top of the thermostat housing read about 125°.  The water pump at the bearing read 185°


Now the temp gauge at about 7/8ths.


Radiator fan came on, top of radiator near bleed screw read 150, but dropped quickly back to 120°, lower on the drivers side.  Cracked the bleeder valve, immediately squirting coolant, closed it back.


It’s interesting that the coolant temps in the engine compartment are reading 190ish and the water pump housing a bit below that while the temp gauge on the dash is reading about 7/8.  I didn’t get under the engine to see what the bottom of the thermostat housing near the sender was reading.


Is any of this useful?


Mike Finkbiner
mike_l_f@hotmail.com<mailto:mike_l_f@hotmail.com>


Civilization is not something inborn or imperishable; it must be acquired anew by every generation.


     - Will Durant
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