Hello all,

Star of this story: "Ruby" a 1991 Vanagon GL with Manual Transmission,
160,000 plus miles, 2.1 engine.

I'm a long time lurker and first time poster.  I'm in the process of getting
ready for summer driving.  I've done a few things so far.  Replaced fuel
lines, set the injectors out to Witchhunter Performance (they look new
again), and installed a tank reseal kit from the van cafe.  My next order of
business was to change the thermosat and temp II sensor.  I am having some
cold running problems, like she will bog down (as if I drove into 6 inches
of water at 35 miles per hour) upon starting out for the day and sometimes
on the way home after sitting for 8 hours or so.  I just let off the gas,
and ease into it again, let off, and ease a bit harder.  Then she runs
fine.  Idle sits around 1000.

Anyway, I go to change out the sensor and thermostat. The sensor was easy.
The thing turned red (see pictures).  Is that normal?  I went on to the
thermostat. I'm glad I did, the rubber was breaking apart.  In the process,
snapped a bolt back toward the firewall on the top of the housing.  I
couldn't get a straight shot so I could drill it out.  So, I start the
process of taking out the housing.  I learned two things A) a hex bolt
doesn't fit very well in a torx hole.  B) I hate spring clamps.  By the way,
for anyone who has yet to replace the thermostat housing, the two bolts that
hold it to the block take a torx bit, 12 point I believe.  I took pictures
of the housing, it looked a bit warped.

Also in the photos are a couple of pics of a random wire.  This red wire is
batched with two others, which are grounded to a bolt below the coil.  Any
ideas...?

http://picasaweb.google.com/inmytree1/Temp2AndTherostatHousing

Jim
Wilmington, NC