Martin,

   Before pulling the radiator, you might consider testing its cooling
ability. This can be done by simply shooting the core with an inferred temp
gun. Bring the van up to operating temperature (by the gauge or when the fan
cycles at least once). Then shoot the temp at different points across the
core. Your looking for "cold" places, where the coolant is not flowing
through the tubes. It would also be a good time to check for "air flow"
through the external core. Do this with a drop light, the light should show
through top to bottom - side to side. This is a little harder with air
conditioning but can be done. You might be surprised what you find, dead
birds, rats, snakes, squirrels, leaves, rags, paper, etc, etc. When its cold
all kinds of critters crawl up there when you park for the night, and they
get trapped in the mourning.
    If you have good coolant, & air flow, at the radiator and still a
overheat problem, time to look elsewhere. Head gaskets, water pump,
thermostat even loose belts maybe?

Good luck

Howard

Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Effectiveness of cooling system flush and clean
products?

> Martin, you should pull the radiator to do the flush, or at least pull
> the hoses off.