on 10/4/06 2:21 PM, Mark Drillock at drillock@EARTHLINK.NET wrote:

> Right in the 1986 Vanagon Owner's Manual, page 28, it says in bold text:
>
> "Do not stop engine immediately after hard or extended driving. Keep
> engine running at increased idle for about 2 minutes to prevent
> excessive heat buildup."

Hmmmm!-I didn't know that-should I sell my westy now before it dies?

Not!

Pax,

Tom

>
> Mark
>
> Ryan Shawley wrote:
>
>> Sam it took a second for this to click but I get what your saying!  Honestly
>> when I coasted to a stop in my parking space I was so happy to hear the fan I
>> just turned off the van and hopped out.  My temp guage stays rock steady but
>> I'll be sure to remember this tip when when I hear my low speed fan kick on.
>> Thanks for all the help the list has kicked my way.
>>
>> Ryan
>>   ----- Original Message -----
>>   From: Sam Walters
>>   To: Ryan
>>   Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 13:56
>>   Subject: Re: intermittent radiator fan / overheating SOLVED
>>
>>
>>   Ryan,
>>
>>   When the fan comes on in a parking lot and the engine is off, it is not
>> doing any thing constructive for the engine.  It simply cools the coolant in
>> the radiator to the temp where the thermostatic switch turns off the fan.
>> Since the water pump isn't working, the cooled coolant does not get back to
>> the engine and the engine is left with quite hot coolant in it and is about
>> as hot as it ever gets.  It was hot enough to be putting out coolant that
>> triggered the fan.
>>
>>   After learning of this from the list, I now usually sit in the van with the
>> engine running if the fan kicks in while I am parking or driving through a
>> parking lot, driving up to my house (like about 15 minutes ago), so that the
>> reduced temperature coolant gets back to the engine and cools it off.  It
>> doesn't take very long.  With the pump running, the reduced temperature
>> coolant doesn't cut the fan off until coolant has circulated and cooled the
>> whole system.
>>
>>   With my Syncro which has the Zetec conversion and OBD II monitoring via
>> computer, I can see the dramatic and quick reduction in cylinder head temp
>> that occurs when the fan kicks in and sends reduced temp coolant back to the
>> engine.  So, I know that what was posted in the past is true.
>>
>>   Sam
>>