In a message dated 3/26/06 9:09:55 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET writes:

> 
> The gauge actually has a provision to adjust the needle position and
> sometimes new ones do need adjustment. T-stats can also be defective
> even new. Get an IR gun and check the coolant temp at the t-stat
> housing. If it is 185F and 200F things are good. Check at what temp the
> fan turns on. Remember that the fan switch is at the outlet of the
> radiator. By the time the fan turns on, the coolant leaving the engine
> will be hotter as the return will be at ~180F. This is normal. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 

ok.. didnt get a heat gun yet..  
but last nite took the '85 1.9L wbx for a drive. this was my visual 
observations:

outside air temp was 38�

started the truck, hadnt been run all day, so it was cold. 
went inside to use the restroom, came out 3 minutes later, got in, turned the 
heater blower motor on, there was warm heat coming out.  needle still 
hovering around the lower fat white line.  drove a mile down the road, needle is now 
alittle more than halfway between lower fat white line and red light position. 
(red light NOT on, my van does NOT overheat)
heat from blower nice and warm at this point.

went to mc donalds, drive thru. turned blower motor off.  wanted to see how 
hot the truck would get. sat in line for 5-8 mins, needle creeps up to over the 
red light position,  now needle is fully over the red light, and the low 
speed fan starts kicking on..stays on for a minute or two, then shuts off.  then 
cycles back on a few minutes later.

got my food than sat in the parking lot with motor idling, hot, with heater 
blower motor OFF.  truck has been idling for like 15  mins constantly now, 
stationary, with heater blower motor OFF.  needle stays just over the red light 
position, low speed Fan cycles off and on, like it should, every few mins.   
hurricane speed fan never come on. 
  
got done eating, then drove back out on the highway, heater blower motor 
still OFF and needle came down to little more than halfway between red light 
position and fat white lower line.  stayed that way till i got home.  

honestly, it seems to be operating as a normal 85 vanagon should.     right?  
this is with the 70� t-stat in there currently. 

anyway i will borrow a IR gun to appease my curiosity..

chris