I don't think an open thermostat makes you heat up more quickly but the
exact opposite.  That's partially what a thermostat is for, to stay closed
so that the water in the engine heats more quickly, then open.

If I'm wrong I'm sure I'll hear about it.

As long as it's not a message from N*w Z**l*nd.  That, of course, would mean
thermonuclear war.

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay L Snyder" <Jay.L.Snyder@usa.dupont.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 12:22 PM
Subject: Symptoms of Stuck Open Thermostat?

> I have a suspicion that my thermostat is stuck open.  Some of the things I
> have noticed are:
> 1) runs the best at highway speeds--constant 60-65 mph, guage at or below
> led even during hot weather
> 2) instant heat up front in the winter.  My '86 took forever to get heat
to
> the front, this one ('85) gets heat within minutes
> 3) cold starts are not so good, runs great after 5 to 10 minutes.
> 4) gas mileage around town not-so-good, 16 to 17mpg, good on highway, 20
to
> 22.5mpg.
>
> Are there any other symptoms?  I like the quick heat, but I think the
> engine will suffer through the longer warm-ups.  If the PO left the
> thermostat out, how would it run?  This van was stored for awhile before I
> got it.  I would think it would have stuck shut, or is this the way they
> are meant to fail (fail-safe)?
>                                                              Jay '85 Westy
>