re
"all Summer w/o the coolant temp-o-meter going
above 1/3+- "
if it really never gets up to half on the guage, you could/should check what
temp it really runs at.
Normally that would equate ( the 1/3 reading ) to maybe about 160 F ..
which is running too cool.

you want it at about 180/185 and that's usually right on the LED at 1/2 on
the temp guage.

the stock 1.9 wbxr  cooling system works just fine ..
not marginal or anything like that .
if it does act mariginally adqueate on really hot condtions, something is
not working like it should..
perhaps radiator isn't removing heat like it once did. etc.

scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Buese" <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: Side Air Intake Engine Cooling Question (searched)

> On Jul 27, 2010, at 3:39 PM, Jake de Villiers wrote:
>
>> I managed to lower the temperature of my 1.9 WBX when driving in
>> 100+ temps
>> by making cardboard deflectors for the D pillar air intakes and
>> propping the
>> license plate door open.
>>
>> These steps moved the needle about an eighth of an inch lower and
>> helped me
>> relax a little during a long, hot and arduous trip.  ;)
>>
>> I think the open license plate door was more of a factor in that will
>> extract hot air from the engine bay into the low pressure area
>> behind the
>> van.
>>
>> YMMV
>>
>> Jake
>>
>
> LOL!- I bet you & your vanagon look really COOL w/ that mod, Jake!
> What is wrong w/ your cooling system?  I have the same engine & drive
> in those conditions all Summer w/o the coolant temp-o-meter going
> above 1/3+-, unless I am going very slowly in heavy traffixc or up a
> steep grade, then it might go above 1/2 until I speed up, & then it's
> back to 1/3.
>
> YMMV,
>
> Mr. BZ-no mods to be cool needed
>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 11:44 AM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all.
>>>
>>> My '81 was air cooled. There's a cold air outlet on frame in engine
>>> bay. The tub on my engine lid may be holding excessive amounts of
>>> heat
>>> on hot days. Pic: http://tinyurl.com/23sdnyc I know nothing of air
>>> flow, etc. stuff so....
>>>
>>> Theory: install ducting on cold air outlet to direct cooler air into
>>> tubbed portion of my engine lid.
>>>
>>> I bet there's lot's of air whooshing around in the engine bay at
>>> highway speeds. Would that whooshing air interfere with the air
>>> coming
>>> out that new short piece of duct?
>>>
>>> Can anyone guesstimate if this would actually help cool that area? I
>>> can provide pics if need be.
>>>
>>> I will also install cardboard at air cleaner in driver side area
>>> behind tail light. Archives suggest that the WBX uses a cardboard
>>> piece to help intake pull in cooler air and not hotter air from
>>> engine
>>> bay.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Neil.
>>>
>>> Why I'm curious about air flow:
>>>
>>> This pic gives rough idea of what resides in tubbed portion:
>>> http://tinyurl.com/25859ye  Coolant sensor at front of head in a
>>> cutout at firewall.
>>>
>>> In hot weather, engine consistently:
>>>
>>> - throws coolant sensor error code: 'Intermittent short to ground'.
>>> - turns MIL (check engine) light on at highway speeds
>>> - hunts at idle when shut down for 10 or so minutes, then restarted.
>>>
>>> Changed coolant sensor, no difference.
>>>
>>> Theory: excessive heat in tubbed portion of lid causes coolant sensor
>>> to get too hot. Resistor in it then zeros out allowing near or full
>>> electrical flow. i.e. recently, on a flat section of highway, 100F
>>> ambient, MIL stayed on at ~ 60 MPH. I propped the license plate door
>>> open hoping to get better air flow at tubbed portion of lid. The
>>> light
>>> then stayed off.
>>>
>>> A3 Bentley mentions that if MIL light comes on while driving, certain
>>> "serious conditions" such as an overheated CAT may cause this. This
>>> led me to the "excessive amounts of heat" theory.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>>>
>>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>>
>>>
>>> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jake
>>
>> 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
>> 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
>>
>> Crescent Beach, BC
>>
>> www.thebassspa.com
>> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
>> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27