In a message dated 7/2/02 1:52:53 PM, markus@WWAR.COM writes:

<< 3. Good newer waterpump, no visible wear on it at all
4. New thermostat >>

First . . .
Re: 4. - Check the setpoint of the thermostat, especially if it is an
aftermarket item.

Then . . .
Re: 3. - After changing a half dozen Vanagon water pumps, I can confidently
say that aftermarket water pumps don't even come close to the real deal for
trouble free service.  Regardless of how good it looks, if it's a knockoff,
the water pump still may be the source of your woes.  Perhaps the impeller
deck height of your pump is too great to produce adequate flow at idle.

I once had one of the highly touted aftermarket pumps which never leaked a
drop nor had any detectable shaft runout (aka, slop) come up lame.  It was
only after I heard the screeching sound of the impeller doing some impromptu
milling of the case that I discovered that the impeller had shifted axially.

Now, only you can decide if you want to throw the dice with the cost of a new
VW water pump on the table.

Richie