This could be me being lost in the fog again but isn't the heater circuit
isolated from the thermostat? I suppose if the Tstat was stuck open it would
keep it from maintaining a minimum temp...

Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Old Volks Home" <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 11:48 PM
Subject: Re: Behr Radiators

> I've been running a Behr radiator in Ole Putt for 2 1/2 years now.  I have
> no heating issues, she runs pretty dang hot in the front heater core (and
> so
> does the rear heater core as well).  I run the stock 87c thermostat
> (installed at the time of radiator replacement).  I also replaced the
> heater
> valve at the same time, "just because". Note: I'd had the engine and auto
> tranny being done at the same time, so I figured "why not" do it to "cover
> the bases".
>
> I don't remember what the original radiator was made out of.  But it was
> sure heavier than the replacement.  And the original was pretty plugged up
> with crud inside after almost 20 years of use.  Haven't had an overheating
> problem since.
>
> I think who ever warned you probably had other cooling issues, such as the
> stuck thermostat or bad heater valve as you mention.
> --
> Jim Thompson
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> 73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
> 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> ***********************************
> On 8/22/06, Kim Springer <kimspringer@rcn.com> wrote:
>>
>> Volks,
>>
>> Has anyone installed a Behr radiator as sold on ebay and having an issue
>> with the interior cabin heater not heating up to the normal, hot, temp?
>>
>> I am considering replacing mine and have been warned that the aluminum
>> Behr cools so well that the water temp doesn't get high enough to do the
>> interior heating properly (as hot as stock).
>>
>> I'm looking for any feedback on the issue, if anyone has had this
>> experience.
>>
>> Isn't the stock rad a copper or brass?  Are these Behr rads South African
>> where they are running a 5 banger in a hotter climate?  Is the 190
>> degrees
>> (or so) (thermostatically controlled) a high enough temp that this would
>> heat the interior the normal hot temp?  Could the source have a
>> thermostat
>> that is stuck wide open or a heater valve that wasn't opening completely?
>> Am
>> I making any sense?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Kim Springer
>> 2WD '89 Tristar White.