I hear ya. I was planning on buying one, but the lowest price so far
on an IR gun is $140 !

Hopefully Princess Auto or KMS has one cheaper.

I will also try heating the ECT sensor in water if need be, rig up
12V, connect the new gauge, and cross check it with a thermometer of
some kind.

If gauge is even close to accurate, I will double check that I was
sold the correct (opening temp) thermostat and that I installed it
correctly.

Thanks,

Neil.

On Sun, Jul 6, 2008 at 7:53 PM, Michael Snow <mwsnow@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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:
>>>>

>>>> 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.
>