On Fri, 24 Jul 1998, john silverman wrote:

> Last week, driving across the hot deserts of Utah and Colorado (Salt Lake
> City to Crested Butte, through ambient air temps in the 100-110 range), we
> used Vic's (our '90 Syncro Westfalia) AC.  It worked great -on high the two
> of us in the front were plenty comfortable.  However, the temperature needle
> on the dash kept climbing.  At cruising speeds of 70-75, the needle was just
> to the "hot" side of the led, and with strain such as hills or acceleration,
>
> This brings up several questions:  How high on the gauge is too hot?  Is it
> possible that there is a cooling system problem? (the H20 pump was replaced
> about 500 miles ago!!)  Is it dangerous to the engine to run it that hot?

I'm very intersted in seeing what the list has to say on this matter,
because I'm VERY conservative when it comes to my VW's (air and
water-cooled). Maybe too conversative, then again I've not had any
problems with my vehicles related to "taxing" them.

Although I could/can drive (cruise) at 70-85 mph in my vehicles I never do
(typical cruising speed for me is a modest 60-65), and definitely not
when the ambient air is 100+ AND with the AC running. For me, this spells
trouble right around the corner, no matter how much maintenance and
rebuilding done on the vehicle.

Comments from the list ?

Chris
vanagon list co-admin