Yes but, descending long grades in neutral isn't very safe in terms of
vehicle stability.  There are some serious long grades in the west coast.
Like there's one here, about 7 miles long, if you cost in the top 4 miles of
it, you'd be doing 80. And it curves. And you wouldn't want to be breaking
to keep speed under control there. . And it's technically illegal to coast
in some states I think.
  And you sure wouldn't want to be in gear holding the clutch in going 60 or
so  down a big hill.  Trick it electrically I say. 
Scott 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Kenneth Wilford
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 9:46 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Overcooling Hypothesis--Long

Yes the injectors are only off above 2000 rpms on deceleration.  Below
that they come back on.  I have a digitool and have observed this myself
many times.  So if you can somehow get the rpms down a bit this would
help (like having the engine at idle by depressing the clutch pedal
should work).

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Allan Streib wrote:
> Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET> writes:
>
>
>> Here's my idea. When you're coasting downhill, you're using the
>> engine as a brake. This means that above 1500 RPM, with the idle
>> switch closed, the engine isn't getting any gas, as the ECU has shut
>> the injectors down. If it isn't getting any gas, it also isn't
>> producing any heat. The engine is functioning as a brake, but there
>> isn't any combustion, and so, after a period of 10 minutes or so in
>> freezing temperatures, the coolant loses temperature, and your gauge
>> is way off the edge of the scale.
>>
>
> Makes sense.  Not only is there no combustion but you are flushing
> cold outside air through the cylinders, which has a further cooling
> effect.
>
>
>> I tested this by going downhill, engine warm, and taking my foot off
>> the gas to coast. I could see the gauge move colder before my
>> eyes. Give it a little gas, and the engine warms up. This is kind of
>> tricky from a driving standpoint, but it works.
>>
>
> Now, repeat the experiment with the clutch in, so the engine is
> idling, not being overrun.  See if it stays warmer.
>
> Allan
>
>