>or idling in traffic.   The total swing is probably 3-4 needle-widths (don't 
>you just love a calibrated gauge?)  The engine warms up in a "normal" 
amount of 

seems a bit larger than usual, mine normally stays +/- one needle width from 
red light at mid gauge. Not enough to worry about though, IMHO.

>seems they've managed to put the sender somewhere where it doesn't even 
SENSE a 
>"loss of coolant accident"!  I know, the gauge does give clues about stuck 

Nope! Your vanagon will gleefully let you know when you have low coolant 
level. That flashing red LED when you first turn on is showing the cct. 
works.  Once the level in the main tank drops below the sender while running 
it will flash again.  At which point you have 10 seconds before your very 
own Chernobyl-style meltdown starts.  Tim Smith