In 1988 I was living in the easternmost part of Maine. That year was the
coldest December ever recorded. It pretty much went -40 at night, and rose
to a high of about -20 during the day. Stayed like that for about 3 weeks.
WQDY radio serves both sides of the US/New Brunswick border. As such they
always gave the temperature in both Farenheit and Celsious, and time in both
Eastern and Atlantic. I remember the announcer saying it didn't matter which
side of the border you were on, it was 40 below (Where Farenheit and
Celsious meet).

Anyway, had a 1978 type 2 daily driver at the time. Always started right up.
Was a brand new engine however. Installed in November 1988 in Dennysville
Maine laying on my back, on ice, no garage, temps around 0. I may send my
vanagon to the mechanics these days, but I've made my offerings to the VW
gods.

Of course towards the end of 3 weeks, even "good" batteries were beginning
to fail.

John Flaherty
Portland, Maine
'84 GL

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 9:43 PM
Subject: Aircooled and Cold Weather

> I was just wondering if anyone has had experience in operating an
> aircooled Vanagon/Westy in really frigid temps, like up around
> Whitehorse, YT in the winter. Like it can get  minus 50F up there and I
> am curious what it takes to operate at those temperatures. I drove a
> Type II for several years in Alaska, but never encountered anything
> colder than about -30F when driving. But I have seen it colder around
> Whitehorse.
>
> Just curious. The knowledge might help me in decisions about Aircooled
> vs WaterCooled for a Westy.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>