Those answers are only partially correct. The real reason the temperature
is lowered is because the cabin heaters are before the thermostat. The
external radiator can only dissipate heat passed by the thermostat where
the internal radiators pull coolant from the heads and send it to the
intake of the water pump regardless of the thermostat state(i.e. open or
closed). This is helpfully in defrosting the windshield soon after the
engine is started. Otherwise you would have to wait until the temperature
gauge was registering in the middle before the thermostat opened and
there was heat available.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin J. Turinsky <turinsky@JUNO.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, May 21, 1998 14:50
Subject: Why does engine run cooler w/ heater on full-blast?

>Hi Volks:
>
>We've been having a great time zooming around with the Syncro up here in
>South Central Alaska.
>
>However, I've notice that I can get the coolant temp. needle to drop
>about a needle's width by cranking the heat to FULL. The needle will
drop
>even a little further if I turn both fans on full. Why is this? Anyone
>have any ideas? I've never heard this topic come up on the List before.
I
>like having a cool engine, but I getting roasted in the Westfalia! :-)
>
>TIA
>
>Kevin...turinsky@juno.com
>"Anchored, down in Anchorage---Alaska"
>61:10:42 North
>149:11:11 West
>Elevation: 101 feet
>
Drive Safely & Good Luck
Ken Lewis<K-ville,NC> Temporarily internetless
86 VW Transporter Double Cab Pickup
60 Porsche T-5 Coupe
85 VW GL Vanagon<Elvis>

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