In a message dated 98-07-14 19:22:50 EDT, wrey@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<<
 I have an 84' Vanagon with an 88' 2.1 motor.  I recently bought it and I
 am new to Vanagons, but have always owned Volkswagens.  I just installed
 new Spanish heads which work great.  The Vanagon runs perfect with the
 temperature gauge in the always in the middle: But when the temperature
 is over 80 or 85 degrees, water temp jumps to 2/3 or 3/4 on the factory
 gauge.  I am thinking of installing a more accurate gauge to better
 monitor this temperature change.  The fan does work.  Has anyone had
 this problem?  Maybe try a different thermostat?  I would appreciate any
 advice. >>

      Check the ground wires on the driver side of the engine under the coil.
I had wired a ground in there and apparently did not get a good enough
connection.  This caused high reading on the temp gage in warm weather.  Check
those grounds with a meter.

Scott De Santi
86 Vanagon ( on the road to Alaska)