Joachim wrote:

" I'll check for cracks, but is there any way to test the sensor itself?"
It isn't worth testing...
My Jetta eats these sensors. I've had three in six years. Any list vendor
probably can get you a sender for about $15. The tank (again, mine's a
Jetta, Van-agony may be different) is about $12. Both require about 2
minutes and basic tools (wheel, lever, fulcrum, pulley; okay, well not THAT
basic)) to replace.
If your sender has any miles on it, once you pull it out, the little soft
gasket may leak when you thread it back in. So, cough up the cabbage, and
award your van a new sender. :)
Happy with our air-cooed Westy...

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Cary, NC     USA
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free

-----Original Message-----
From:   Joachim Beek [SMTP:jbeek@NASGRO.JSC.NASA.GOV]
Sent:   Tuesday, March 02, 1999 11:19 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: '85 temp warning light won't turn off.

On Mon, 1 Mar 1999 KENWILFY@AOL.COM wrote:

> I have had similar problems with Jettas (which use basically the same
coolant
> level sender) and my '85 Vanagon.  <<<SNIP>>>Just unplug the sender and
look
> at where the two prongs are on the top of the tank.  If there is wetness
in
> there then this is your problem.  The wetness up there could also be
caused by
> hairline cracks in the expansion tank around where the sender screws in.
 This
> is a common problem with these tanks.
> Let me know what you find.
> Ken Wilford
> Van-Again
> John 3:16
>

Ken,
interesting that this question should pop up now.  My temperature "idiot"
light started flashing a couple of days ago, but only when the coolant has
warmed up, incidentally.  Expansion tank had coolant in it, refill tank
was low, but the plug did have wetness in and around it.  Recently (before
the light started flashing) I had the water pump replaced, so I thought the
light flashing and coolant levels in the two tanks might have been due to
an
air bubble working its way out.

I'll check for cracks, but is there any way to test the sensor itself?
Bentley is stumm on this, so maybe not.

Joachim
90 GL
78 Scirocco