That sounds hotter than normal.
The slick thing to do is measure the true temp of the coolant coming out of
the engine ( sure wish people would say what year and model they have - I
gather this is a watercooled gasoline vanagon ) ........with an infra red
temp gun.
That way in one second you know what the 'real' temp is.

The lazy test for radiator fan is just let it idle until they come on, then
cycle off.
The next test ( assuming you have an 83 and above water cooled gas vanagon -
the 82 diesel, the very first every water cooled vanagon, has a different
system slightly on the fan senders) 
 - is to pull the wires off the sender and jumper two contacts for low
speed,
And the 'other two' for high speed fan operation.
If the fan runs, tells you the whole circuit runs.....just doesn't test the
fan sender is all....
They can be faulty, but I've seldom seen one.

Just two more things -
1. I recommend you adopt a 'test and diagnose' mentality , and not the
'throw parts at it ' one.
2. So far I can usually guess what vanagon people are talking about , and it
would sure help people help YOU figure out more about YOUR problem if you
would say the year, version, model, equipment etc.
It matters.
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
craig cowan
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 8:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: How Hot is To Hott?

This is a simple question:
Where should the Temp Guage read under normal running?

Mines halfway between the light and the top white mark. I think this is
hott.

Also, Whats the best procedure for testing the cooling fan on the radiator?

-Craig
'85GL Fresh out of the shop!!!!!