Robert,
       As I understand the thread, someone has
replaced the radiator and thermostat and the van still
appears to run hot.   It does not blow coolant.
   Some will suggest the problem is with the guage and
other will suggest that there is no problem until you
blow coolant and then it is too late.
   I think that the heater is a good diagnostic tool
for evaluating if a van is running hot.   Another tool
is a good long hill that you can coast down and drive
up.   If the coolant gauge and heater respond
appropriately I would say everything is working.
Fan should be working as the sensor in the front kick
it on and off which may or may not be reflected by the
gauge reading.   It is the wrong time of the year to
be discussing over heating.   Should wait until
summer.
        eh, gary

--- Robert Fisher <refisher@mchsi.com> wrote:

> I'm not sure what your question or point is... but;
>
> John Bange wrote:
>
> "Heater core coolant circuits run independent of the
> thermostat. If they
> blast out copious amounts of heat, you're know
> you're getting good coolant
> flow so you probably don't have a water pump issue."
>
> Aside from that, generally speaking if you turn on
> the heater it will lower
> the coolant temp a bit, as it acts in much the same
> way the radiator does.
> It can also help you isolate certain things as you
> troubleshoot your system.
>
> Does that help? If you were being sarcastic at all,
> btw, I missed it I
> guess... sometimes not to good at spotting that sort
> of thing. ; )
>
> Cya,
> Robert
>
>

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