It can, but your's is running pretty close to normal.  Over the years
and probably three stock t-stats, mine has run with the needle just
touching the LED.

The stock Vanagon t-stat is 87 C, or 189 F, and 190 is the "textbook"
ideal coolant temp for an engine to run at maximum efficiency.

You have another problem somewhere, most likely in the FI system.

Chad G wrote:
>
> Just trying to figure out why my gas mileage sucks.  I've noticed that the
> temp guage does't run quite as high on the guage as it once did. It used to
> sit in the middle of the led and now it barely touches the bottom of the
> led. My mileage has gone from 22mpg to 12mpg.
> any ideas??
>
> thanks,
> Chad 85GL

--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)
'01 Toyota Tacoma (Something I don't have to fix!)

Personal mechanic for:
'70 MGB GT (Daughter's)

Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Was daughter's, now son's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT