Seems to me that things were working normally before. Gauge reading a
little higher than normal was most likely a gauge calibration or
tolerance issue. To put things in perspective, you went from a 188F
thermostat to a 158F. The fuel injection goes closed loop at about 120F
so there is no effect on mixture. However, for short trip operation, oil
dilution, (water) can be a problem, especially in winter and the engine
will not be at its best efficiency due to thermal losses. Also, during
hot weather, especially with AC, the radiator will not be able to
maintain that lower temperature consistently. As the engine will now go
from 188F to say 210F (fan turning on), you have increased the thermal
cycling by another 30F. This additional expansion and contraction is not
good for internal parts and head gaskets. Put the proper t-stat back in.

Dennis  

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 1:05 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: running hot....ideas? UPDATE running a 70� t-stat instead of
the 87� one

a while back i told y'all my '85 was running hot.. needle would be over
the 
red light at normal op temp.  fan would come on when when needle got at
3/4.  
put a new rad in, changed the gauge in the dash, still didnt bring the
temps 
down..

a few days ago, put a new t-stat in..  a 70� one instead of the 87�
one.. 
now needle barely makes it to the bottom of the red light...   of course
keep 
in mind that its still winter here in PA even if it is officially 
spring..(been in the low 40�'s last few days except for today)

talked to ken and he said the only adverse affects from running a 70�
t-stat 
instead of the orig 87� one, is that the t-stat will take longer to
open, so 
the van will think its cold longer, and run rich longer..  so fuel
mileage goes 
down..    anyone else run a lower temp t-stat in their van??
experiences? 
ideas?   thanks...

chris