Maybe� the whole issue of coolant temp. is an over reach on my part-but that is 
what they teach in the class room. I know for truck and buses both oil and 
coolant are monitored by the ecu in order to give feedback and control over 
engine and transmission maintance.It is possible to harm an engine that is not 
coming up to temp. and just as it getting to hot is a problem- maybe to cold 
engine is a longer term problem. Just my two cents.� Maybe changeing out the 
thermostat is not that inportant with summer coming on. any way happy camping. 

Bill Witz 84 Westy "Old Paint"

P.S. I once removed my thermostat to diagnose a problem with the gauge. The van 
never warmed up I mean nothing no heat nada.

________________________________
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@gmail.com>
To: Bill Witz <pbwitz@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Sat, June 4, 2011 6:11:51 AM
Subject: Re: Thermostats [Was: Spooked!]

Yep. David is right. Motor oil needs to be heated up to remove condenation and 
acids which if left in the crankcase will eat bearings and other surfaces. So if 
you run an engine at a lower temp you can harm it as much as if it were ran too 
hot-but maybe slower.Maybe you could over come this if you changed your oil and 
filter more often. But at what cost? Bill Witz 84 Westy 

Lemme guess -- removal of the thermostat on the 1.9L will pretty much mean 
complete loss of coolant? 

Jeez I hate making a mess on Mrs Squirrel's driveway. 

-- RJS