The 1.9 can also have these exact symtons from air or combustion gasses in
the cooling system. Even the no heat part as the heater circuit is only fed
from the right side head. The lack of flow will also keep the gauge from
registering as coolant has to flow there in order for it to see the heat.

Dennis

>From: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>Reply-To: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Thermostat woes--or--?
>Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:21:34 -0400
>
>Geza Polony wrote:
>  > The wrinkle: I pulled the thermostat a month ago and tested it in
>boiling
>>water. It was fully closed when I pulled it, and didn't START to open
>>until
>>200*, almost boiling. It closed normally when I put it in the freezer, and
>>opened again just fine.
>
>Boy, does this sound familiar?
>
>When I bought my '85 Westy it had all the symptoms of a thermostat that
>stayed open.  It ran too cool, took forever to warm up, and had
>driveability problems in cold weather.
>
>I bought a new standard thermostat and replaced it over 4 years ago with
>no problems since.  Oh, BTW, when I took the old one out it was closed
>... and opened in almost boiling water.  Go figure.
>
>Mike