Just replace the coolant level sensor.... when you order it order an
extra... these things go out all the time and you will likely need another
in a year or two..

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "dianne gigler" <dlg@ANDREW.CMU.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 1:11 PM
Subject: Request for Help - Overheating Problem

> I have been using my '87 GL Westy as my daily driver for the past 5
months.
> I am the third owner and have owned it for three years.  It currently has
> under 80k miles.
>
> Recently I encountered a problem that I hope this group will assist me in
> solving.
>
> While driving yesterday, the red temperature light came on; the
temperature
> needle was about one-third to one-half of the way up.  I immediately
pulled
> over, shut the engine off, and waited about five minutes.  I restarted the
> engine and everything appeared to be fine, but about two minutes later the
> same thing happened.  I drove to the nearest exit (about 2 miles) and
drove
> to an Ames located quite near the exit.  I checked the level in the
coolant
> reservoir and it appeared to be empty.  I went into the Ames and purchased
> a gallon of Prestone coolant - the only brand they had in stock- and
filled
> the reservoir.  I was surprised that less than one-fourth of the jug was
> needed for the reservoir  to reach the "max" level.  I started the engine
> and let it run for several minutes to see if the level in the reserve tank
> went down.  It did not, so I closed things up and drove away.
>
> About three minutes later, the light came on again and the needle was
below
> the half-way mark.  I checked the reserve tank level and it was still at
> the "max" level.  Against my better judgement, I decided to proceed to my
> destination which was about seven miles away.  The light remained on the
> entire time, but once again the needle did not go beyond the half-way
mark.
> I made arrangements to borrow car and garaged the vanagon at my
destination
> after once again checking the coolant level which had not change.
>
> I have limited mechanical abilities, but am willing to give most anything
a
> try.  For financial reasons, I would like to avoid taking the vanagon to a
> mechanic unless this is absolutely necessary.  Given the location of the
> van, the nearest  VW mechanic would be at a small dealership five or six
> miles away.  I have basic metric tools and can purchase parts from a local
> parts store that specialized in foreign vehicles or order from one of the
> list vendors.
>
> Any help - the more detailed the better- will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks in advance for whatever assistance you can provide.
>
> Dianne
>