Thanks for all the feedback. My 85 is close to turning over 100K and has been well maintained. She's never liked stop & go traffic in summer and gets hot when creeping along. I run the heater when this happens and it seems to help. Going up those VA mountains I HAD to drop it down into 2nd to keep revs up. The engine knock this past summer was the first time it has happened and I didn't hear it again but then I didn't climb another super steep grade. The coolant system has been flushed twice in the last three years and a new water pump was installed. Don't have the overheating when cruising along. Other than climbing a mountain road in 90 degree temps is there any test to check if a new radiator is needed? Gotta love this list all the vanagon knowledgeable people in one place. Thanks.
Spencer

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sat, Feb 13, 2016 6:20 pm
Subject: Re: westys & climbing mountain roads

​RE: Overheating and Mountain Roads
The '85 I drove had severe overheating problems until the radiator was
replaced, a common problem.
My '90 w/automatic tranny climbs hills in the slow lane too.  That's what
2nd gear is for :)  Keep the revs up so as not to lug the engine.
And if the knocking in the engine is really there it might be time to start
thinking about a new engine.  Put a rod through the case and no core value
left, only a big towing bill.