I'm not sure about the vanagon diesel but the golf/jetta diesel uses a
thermostat with a rubber sealing ring around the valve, not the o ring but
on the actual sealing part that opens and closes. They can only be had at
the vw dealer for about $20. I've had several jetta's that I've had to put
this one on to get them warm. The gas i4 does not need it but it seems the
diesels do.

Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael E. Pidcoe" <pidcoe@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2001 6:23 PM
Subject: Diesel heater question

> OK.  I am getting tired of the cool air blowing out of my only heater in
> the old '82 diesel.  I checked the line in (the one with the valve on
> it) and it seems much warmer than the one coming out.  I used the
> scientific method of just wrapping my hand around each of the rubber
> hoses.  Now I figured that the coolant coming out will be a little
> cooler but I also figured that I would not be able to tell the
> difference using my highly scientific method.
> My question is this.  How do you bleed the cooling system?  Access to
> the hoses at the upper end seems difficult but not impossible.  Does it
> matter if the engine is up to temp? (i.e.. is there a thermostat to
> worry about?).
> I only have the front heater and it is just not cutting it in these
> chilly times.
> Thanks,
> Mike Pidcoe
>