It sounds as though your thermostat is maybe an 80 degree version instead of
the 87 degree one your engine needs.  Or maybe its not closing all the
way...

The needle should be on the LED when the engine's warmed up.

On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 6:38 PM, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:

> Question for the group about thermostats and temp and temperature gauge.
> Assumtion here:  Not all temp gauges show the same range on the dial.  Also
> I'm looking at a temp gauge in a '90 GL body, with tach.
> Okay, given that.  Now, what should I expect to see on the gauge under
> different conditions?  My temp gauge, under highway conditions that are
> putting on a load like climbing a mountain pass, NEVER goes past a certain
> point, actually just above the center of the LED.  As the systems heats up
> the needle gets to that point, fan comes on and under extreme conditions
> the
> fan will go into 'propeller mode'.
> But here is what I have a question about.  In cold weather, generally 60 F
> or below, the needle on the temp gauge, under normal driving conditions
> even
> on the highway, will stay well below the LED and in 40 F weather way below.
> Logically I would expect the thermostat to open and close to control the
> cooling to hold the engine temp at a steady temperature.  But, assuming my
> temp gauge is accurate that's not what I'm seeing.
> So, what do others see, is what I'm seeing normal, or should I be putting
> in
> a new thermostat?
> BTW,  my rig has been this way for the seven plus years I've owned it.
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27