I thought this would eliminated any variables from the experiment. Since you said it was pretty cold at your location, any breeze might be sufficient to provide cooling to the radiator. I have only heard the fan on my truck come on a few times so I suspect it is pretty efficient heat exchanger .
Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jake de Villiers 
  To: Ken Lewis 
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 9:48 PM
  Subject: Re: no heat

  Why do you need to cover the radiator Ken? Just curious.

  On 12/14/05, Ken Lewis <kdlewis_wating_time@allvantage.com > wrote:
    Jeff,

    I would cover the radiator and let it idle. It should heat up then. If it 
    doesn't then it isn't the thermostat.

    Ken Lewis
    http://neksiwel.20m.com/