On 7 Mar 2002, at 10:18, Stan Wilder wrote:

> What are these folks doing to crater an engine in 55 - 60K?

Stan, the answer is HEAT.

The VW manual doesn't warn owners to avoid driving full speed
down the freeway all afternoon on a hot summer day unless they
like the idea of running their aircooled van on 3 cylinders.  Most
owners learn after the first time, but they better not lend the van to
a friend for a weekend camping trip.

How many aircooled engines would have been spared if VW had
installed temperature gauges and warning lights, along with a firm
warning about high-speed driving on long trips during hot weather?
Fortunately, the Vanagon list often has info on temperature gauges
and advice on how to drive an aircooled van.  It's obvious VW
preferred to deal with it by introducing the wasserboxer.

Dave Wallace
85 Westy
David Wallace