In the same vein the thermostat on my '85 had stuck open.  Which I agree is
better than stuck closed but I finally replaced it and I get about 1-2 mpg
better gas mileage.  Which is what I expected and why I did it.

Not a terribly difficult job, pmail me if you want details.

Now on to fixing the horn which honks when I turn the wheel.

After 40 or owning a Van it's fix, fix, fix.

Mike

On 11/17/04 7:43 AM, "aircooledchris"
<aircooledchris@EUCASAFARI.VENDIOWEB.COM> wrote:

> I thought it was more simple than that.
>
> Without a thermostat in place at all, the flap will remain open, which
> is what you want once the engine is warm. The thermostat in place will
> close them when the motor is cold, and once warm, open them back up (to
> their default location when thermostat isnt in place.)
>
> I still dont see why manually flipping the air flaps closed when its
> cold for 10/15 minutes while the motor warms, then allowing them to open
> back up (their default location when thermostat isnt in place) before
> heading down the road, wouldn't work. Am I missing something in how the
> system is supposed to work when the thermostat is in place?
>
> Al and Sue Brase wrote:
>
>> (In other words, NO, you can't modulate it manually.)  The flaps will
>> open and shut according to several things: Engine load, rpm, ambient, FI
>> mixture. Am I forgetting anything?
>> Al Brase
>>
>> Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>
>>> If the flaps need to fully open in cool weather, then the engine must be
>>> overheating in warm or hot weather. The thermostat will modulate the air
>>> flow in normal operating conditions.
>>>
>>> Dennis
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>> Of aircooledchris
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 10:23 AM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: manual thermostat / heaterflap control?
>>>
>>> oh yea, id go there. =)
>>>
>>>
>>> anyway I can go out in the AM, manually close the flaps while it warms
>>> up, then flip them open after 15 minutes and head on my way?
>>>
>>> =)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>