Thanks Dennis. I'd wondered if it was "too good to be true". Seems there's
always a "give and take" to design.

Though the thermostat design may not be as critical as it is for a WBX
engine, I worry about the type of thermostat my VW parts shop sells me for
my Jetta engine in my Vanagon. Its a Calorstat brand which is useable in
several different brands of engine. Hence my searches elsewhere and
discovery of this "gimmick" thermostat design.

Neil.

On Sun, Dec 24, 2017 at 6:48 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> This thermostat is a gimmick. The deal is that if the stat over-extends it
> locks open. So if it extends for a normal situation such as hot day and
> extended load it will be stuck open and will have to be removed to reset or
> replace. It does nothing to add protection for failure of the Waxman to
> open it or if the assembly should break which are both common t-stat
> failure modes.
>
> Worse, if you order this for the Vanagon, the listing bases fit on the
> diameter of the main valve, not the bypass valve disc. The lower disc will
> be the wrong diameter and the wrong location closing off the bypass,
> (mixing) port to early and often even jamming in the housing. The
> Waterboxer relies heavily on the coolant always flowing between the engine
> and heads to maintain even temperatures. With the bypass closed there won't
> be flow until the radiator port opens and then it will not even throughout
> the engine. Some parts can overheat while the gauge is reading normal. I've
> tried this type of stat on my first motorhome, Ford E350 with a 460. Didn’t
> have enough flow so it ran hot anytime under load. Went to dealer to get
> the right stat.
>
> Dennis,
> Who doesn't like gimmicks.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Neil N
> Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2017 5:23 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: " Fail Safe " Type Coolant Thermostat
>
> I know Dennis Haynes has written of thermostats, fitment etc.
>

-- 
Neil n

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