I wouldn't place too much confidence in the numerical value that you
are getting from the gauge. Checking the temp with an IR thermometer
may save a lot of wasted time.

Michael Snow
1982 Westfalia 1.9TD

On 7/6/08, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, if you meant Jetta coolant gauges aren't Vanagon content, IMHO,
> it's Vanagon content if you have a Jetta engine in your Vanagon. I
> felt it was worthwhile posting.
>
> It may save another person, who chooses to do this conversion, time and
> effort.
>
> Hopefully I haven't misunderstood you. --- :^)
>
> Thanks for the pointer to the thermostat opening temp. Even combined
> with what Mike S wrote, I think it's running too hot.
>
> Thanks guys,
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jul 6, 2008 at 10:53 AM, Jake de Villiers
> <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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
>
>
>
> --
> 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/
>