--- David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> Point 1: My Vanagon water temp gauge never seems to
> reach half-way. For short trips it barely goes above
> the bottom marker. For longer trips, it barely makes
> it to maybe 1/4. It rises a bit when I'm stuck in
> bumper-to-bumper traffic for a while. It does start
> off at way below the bottom marker. I don't notice
> the
> fan running any more like I used to when I shut off
> the engine Is this something I should worry about?
> I'm
> in Phoenix, AZ where the outdoor temperatures
> regularly exceed 110 degrees. The van runs well and
> no
> other bad symptoms.

I'd start by swapping out the temp sensor on the
front (front is front) side of your thermostat
housing.  This is a fairly easy job as long as your
quick about swapping/replacing the new sensor and
the old gasket does not get hung up in the hole.

I'll let others address the squeak and bounce
issues...

Steven

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