Sounds like a classic case of a 2.1 wbxr thermostat being stuck open to me,
and it's been that way for years.  Wastes fuel. Not good for the engine
either.
Important that it run up to temp. I'd start with a good new German
thermostat.

KYB's don't make it.  Genernally a cheap shock not up to vanagon's real
needs.

On squeaks.....upper a -arm bushings are famous for that. 
Very last bushing and link and part that wears should be looked at
underneath.

When you have a collection of 40 ( or more ) parts that all have 150k+ miles
on them, and are all at least 50 % tired, it's very hard to pick out 6 parts
that will make a fundamental difference in the overall blend of how it all
works.  
Some parts will be obviously shot or worn out.  Those do for sure.  Upper
a-arm bushings don't fail, the just get old, funky, and squeaky. Ball
joints......of the 4 on the front, I doubt you have 4 perfect ones, unless
they've been replaced sometime.
Etc.
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David M
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 10:59 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Underheating and squeaks/groans

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.

Point 2: Over the years my van has progressively
gotten more squeaks, rattles and groans, especially
when going over bumps. What things should I get looked
at underneath?

Point3: When I go over bumps, I notice what seems to
be excessive bouncing. I have KYB shocks front and
rear, about 7 years old but not many miles on them.
Are the Bilstein shocks I see on Ebay for around $200
recommended? How easy are they to install?

Thanks

David (1987 Wolfsburg, automatic)

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