Well, i've gotten a step closer to solving the running issues, i believe.
Yesterday i found the temp gauge will still dive above 60mph, and it was
warmer (25*F or so?), but i think the issue is bigger than just a
faulty/weird thermostat. I think my 8mpg running is in part coming from
terrible grounds.
When I first built this bus, for whatever reason I seem to have forgot to
deal with the grounds?
My chronically slow starting condition suddenly made since, and i dove into
the engine bay to find the braided cable snapped off in my hand, and all
the ring terminals looked like crap.
I cleaned up some of the ring terminals and replaced the ends of a few
others. I put a 4 gauge grounding cable from the engine to the body and
from the starter motor's lower bolt to the body.
My starting is still screwed up, but seems improved.
I can't wait to see how this effected fuel economy. I imagine the entire
fuel injection system was reading poorly if the grounds weren't sound.
Hopefully my messing with wires didn't awaken any new beasts.....

We shall see.

-Craig

On Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 11:52 AM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>wrote:

> I've had a surprising number of aftermarket thermostats not work properly
> over the years.  Quality control is non-existent on some of these parts.
> Your high speed temp drop points to the T stat not cycling or opening too
> far at speed, which is pumping the coolant through the valve at higher
> pressure and perhaps holding it fully open.   T stats are constantly
> adjusting, or should be, to keep the engine temp constant.
>
> Change it to what Dennis recommends.
>
> Stuart
> '85 Westy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Craig Cowan
> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:00 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE/Running Cold?
>
> Hmm.... It is an aftermarket thermostat but stock temp and speced for the
> Vanagon. It was stamped Germany and the club installed it, getting the seal
> of approval by several members.
> It also did operate as expected, and it works fine up to 60mph.
> Odd....
>
> -craig
>
> On Jan 24, 2013, at 2:18 PM, David Milo <dellaone@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> > From a post on 12/12/12 from Dennis Haynes: What are you referring to
> > as high temperature? The stock Thermostat rating is 87C, (188F). That
> > is plenty and should be used all year. From experience, the most
> > consistent acting and best response are the ones from the dealer.
> > (???). Of the features of the part the top control disc has a rubber
> > gasket to ensure no leak by when it is closed. Next choice would be
> > the Wahler, (German). I have had some Mehle that fit but they may be
> coming from unknown sources.
> > If you do go to a parts store, almost all will sell you the wrong
> > stat. The lower disc will be the wrong diameter. If the listing
> > includes some Audi or other vehicles it is wrong.
> > The confusion comes from the practice that T-stats get listed for
> > vehicles based on just a few specifications. Usually the top housing
> > diameter is the key. Vlave types, bypasses, bleeds, lengths and other
> features get lost.
> > This is a real problem even in American vehicles, trucks, RV's that
> > need stats with more flow and thus use a different design such as
> > umbrella instead of disc. The wrong stat may jam partly open and/or
> > not open far enough for proper cooling.
> >
> > Dave Milo
> >
> > On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 2:10 PM, David Milo <dellaone@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Aftermarket thermostat? Could be malfunctioning. I have read many
> >> times from Dennis Haynes that most aftermarket thermostats do not fit
> >> or operate properly. Extreme conditions could exacerbate that.
> >>
> >> Dave Milo
> >>
> >> On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 1:23 PM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I am reluctant to reply to this Craig but is it possible, even at
> >>> 15deg, that it's just because it's cold?
> >>>
> >>> Gertie runs the temp gauge dead on center - consistantly, until this
> >>> week
> >>> -
> >>> it's been very cold here this week ranging from about 2deg to 15 or
> >>> so - the needle is running at about 1/4 - 1/3 and cabin heat is
> >>> there but not as it was. Again, I could be talking out my backside
> >>> but it sort of made sense to me - thinking about trying the
> >>> cardboard trick myself just to see if it helps.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Jeff
> >>> '85 GL (Gertie)
> >>> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
> >>
> >>
>
>