If I'm not mistaken (I am a lot) there's always some flow, even at lower
temps.

Karl Wolz

|-----Original Message-----
|From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
|On Behalf Of mark drillock
|Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 4:03 PM
|To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
|Subject: Re: Thermostats - 87 degree vs 80 degree
|
|I too would only run the 87 degree one but you have the
|thermostat operation a little wrong. It is not an on/off
|switch for coolant flow.
|It merely begins to open at the specified temp and opens wider
|and wider as it gets hotter. Bentley page 19.11 has the
|operating range given. Not fully open until 105 C degrees.
|
|Mark
|
|
|Dave Mcneely wrote:
|>
|>
|> What the thermostat does physically is remain closed (no
|coolant flow) when the temperature is cooler than the set
|temperature, 80 or 87 C.  At the set temperature, it opens,
|allowing coolant flow.  It plays no role whatsoever in getting
|the coolant temperature to drop.  It will stay closed until
|the set temperature is reached, open, and remain open unless
|the temperature drops below the set temperature.  With the
|engine running in summer that is unlikely.  If the engine is
|overheating in summer (temperature running above 87 C), the
|thermostat might be stuck closed (not likely), but an 80 C
|thermostat will not make it run cooler if other causes are at
|fault (most likely).  Check the fan, the radiator, and so on.
|>
|> Given that the engine is engineered for 87 C, it should run
|at that temperature.
|>
|> mcneely
|>
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