This isn't really Vanagon Content Neil, but your gauge should be showing the
opening temperature of your thermostat ie 87 C or ~185 F.  I don't think you
should be seeing even 200 F in our current 60 F temps unless you're climbing
in second gear for half an hour.

On Sun, Jul 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all.
>
> Thanks Mark and Mike for explaining the purpose of the voltage stabilizer.
>
> Lesson learned:
>
> If you use a gauge from another vehicle (in my case a Jetta engine
> temp gauge for my Jetta conversion) it may need a voltage stabilizer
> to work right. The Vanagon gauge does.
>
> I just took my VanaJetta conversion for a test spin up some hills.
> After 10-15 minutes of driving, I found that my new after market
> "Hastings" coolant temp gauge shows between 200 and 230 F , or just
> above 100C. The Jetta gauge pinned (albeit with a longer drive).
> Clearly it needs a voltage stabilizer to work right.
>
> I'll double check after a longer drive, but it seems my engine isn't
> overheating....... I hope! --- ;^)
>
> Thanks again list!
>
> Neil.
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27