Isn't there one gauge cluster that pegs the temp gauge when it detects low
coolant level?  Could it be that?  I don't think so since you don't mention
light is blinking and that wouldn't explain the 3/4 gauge either.  Is this
a vanagon that started life as a diesel?  I'm not really familiar with the
cooling system on those, mostly the 2.1 and a little of the 1.9 system.
you have your heater lever(s) set to full hot?  maybe try bleeding/checking
coolant flow at the heater hoses at or near the core(s)?
Edward

On Thu, Dec 10, 2015 at 3:12 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

> The coolant is not coming in from the bottom. It is coming in from the top
> per several including list vendors who knew what I was doing. That's how
> it's done to convert over to the new style tank. Otherwise the hoses
> available these days don't stand a chance of fitting. I can see that that
> is a change that was made from before and now I'm having a problem. I
> don'tunderstand how it could be a problem, but it certainly is coincidental
> with the problem I'm having. So I'm interested in knowing more.
>
> > On Dec 10, 2015, at 2:02 PM, Ralph Meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
> >
> > Make sure coolant is coming into the tank from the top fitting.
> >> On Dec 10, 2015 2:00 PM, "Ralph Meyermann" <ralphmeyermann@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> I got my diesel compression tester kit from parts place. My AAZ came
> >> complete with most everything out of the car, I used the 1.6 water pump
> >> housing with the newer style pump and serpentine belt and pulley system.
> >> Have you ran the engine with the expansion tank cap off and see good
> >> coolant flow?
> >>> On Dec 10, 2015 1:44 PM, "Stuart MacMillan" <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Is there a way to do a compression test or cylinder leak down test on a
> >>> diesel?  That would find a blown head gasket.
> >>>
> >>> Stuart
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf
> >>> Of Jim Felder
> >>> Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2015 11:21 AM
> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>> Subject: Re: Sick sick sick of diesel Vanagon cooling problems
> >>>
> >>> I just drove it for 15 miles. Before I drove it, I opened the coolant
> >>> Enough to burp a bunch of hot air out through the coolant tank. Then
> drove
> >>> about 12 of those 15 miles just fine. The last 3 miles it started to
> >>> overheat again. I pulled over and parked it again and the temperatures
> >>> dropped. Got to be a head gasket or thermostat wouldn't you think?
> >>>
> >>>> On Thursday, December 10, 2015, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> No it hasn't boiled over.
> >>>>
> >>>> On Thursday, December 10, 2015, Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@yahoo.com
> >>>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','warmerwagen@yahoo.com');>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Has it boiled over?
> >>>>> Robert
> >>>>> 1982 Westfalia
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Sent from Outlook Mobile<https://aka.ms/blhgte>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Thu, Dec 10, 2015 at 10:47 AM -0800, "Jim Felder" <
> >>>>> jim.felder@GMAIL.COM
> >>>>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jim.felder@GMAIL.COM');><mailto:
> >>>>> jim.felder@GMAIL.COM
> >>>>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jim.felder@GMAIL.COM');>>> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Stock diesel Vanagon water pump set up. 1.6 TD. All was fine before.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Thursday, December 10, 2015, Ralph Meyermann
> >>>>> <ralphmeyermann@gmail.com
> >>>>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','ralphmeyermann@gmail.com');>>
> >>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> What motor, water pump and pulley set up do you have?
> >>>>>> On Dec 10, 2015 12:43 PM, "Dan N" <dn92610@gmail.com
> >>>>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','dn92610@gmail.com');> <javascript:;>>
> >>>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> could it be the water pump? it's looking like a weak coolant flow
> >>>>>>> thru radiator
> >>
>