Yes and probably correct.

The front and rear heaters are on one circuit, which does indeed bypass the
thermostat.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "John McLean" <jaymac@INTERNETCDS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2001 4:49 PM
Subject: overheating

> Seeking wisdom...
>
> All of a sudden yesterday my engine started overheating.   Today I went
> out to see if I could figure the problem out.  My observations show me
> that there are independant coolant lines that go to the front and rear
> heater cores.   Also, the large coolant line coming out of the back of
> the thermostat housing goes to the main radiator.
>
> I am getting heat out of both heaters but even as the coolant
> temperature climbs the main radiator is still cool to the touch and the
> fan is not blowing.   When I place my hand on the main (large) coolant
> line behind the thermostat housing ( and crawl under the bus to feel the
> main (hard) lines to and from the radiator ) it is cool.  At the same
> time the small (flexible) lines to the front heater are hot.
>
> So...  my investigation shows me that 1) the heater cores both get
> coolant independant of the thermostat and 2) my thermostat is stuck and
> I am getting no flow to the radiator
>
> Am I correct in my thinking?
>
>
> John McLean   87  Vanagon  GL
>