Some history:

We bought an '85 westy with 65,000 miles about a year ago, BVL 
(Before Vanagon List).  I had the coolant changed at that time by a 
local VW shop.  I had no problems and drove it to South Texas in 
April-May, never overheated, temp gauge just below the light.  Then I 
started listening in here and saw all the hype about phosphate free 
antifreeze, so I got scared that the guy used the wrong stuff and had 
it changed again, at VW dealer, a couple of months ago.  On the way 
home from the change, I got stuck in a traffic jam on Atlanta's long 
Interstate Parking Lot (I-285) and was creeping along, stopping and 
starting, when I noticed the temp gauge up about the 3/4 mark, and it 
was cool outside, maybe 60�.  Went down as soon as I got up some 
speed and no light came on.  I have noticed that, now, whenever I 
idle for a while, the needle gets up there.

Now I don't remember it ever getting that high before the 2nd change, 
but I won't swear that it did not.

Question:

could there be some air in the system that causes it to go up when at 
idle, or is that normal?

TIA,

Jim in Atlanta with Herbie, sometimes Hot Herbie