Date:         Mon, 20 Jul 1998 11:57:58 -0500
Reply-To:     Patrick Larsen <pll@UNLINFO.UNL.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Patrick Larsen <pll@UNLINFO.UNL.EDU>
Subject:      temp-fan anomaly: 91 GL
Comments: To: VANAGON@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all,
        I just returned from a 3500 mile trip to Vermont from Nebraska in my 91
Vanagon. My Vanagon experienced numerous oddities, but I'll try to keep the
posts subject specific.
        The strangest of the problems was that during freeway cruising, with the
temp gauge below the LED (running cool) the radiator fan kept cycling on.
The low-speed fan usually cycles on when the gauge is a needle width above
the led. The result was a very cool running van. The temp gauge sat between
the led and the white 'dead cold' line. As a result (I believe), the idle
was several rpm's too high, I really had to stomp on the brakes to stop.
        Another oddity, mileage-wise, my van was inspired. Averaged about 20 mpg
with a max of abou 22 and a min of about 19mpg. This is better mpg than it
has *ever* gotten!

Possible scenarios:
1) thermo-switch is defective, and temp gauge is accurate.
2) temp gauge is innaccurate, thermo-switch cycling fan at right temperature
3) Both gauge and switch are bad
4) Both are behaving normally, and I have air in the coolant loop?

Questions:
1) can anyone offer an explanation or relate personal experience with this
thermo switch/gauge anomaly?
2) Why such good mileage? Usually a cold engine means worse mpg.

That's all for now. Thanks for any ideas or discussion.

Patrick 91GL-the Prairie Schooner

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Patrick L. Larsen
Water Center-University of Nebraska
Home: http://www.uvm.edu/~plarsen/pat.html
Work: http://www.ianr.unl.edu/waterscience/wsl.html
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