In addition to bleeding the system, it would hurt to take a look at the radiator, radiator fan, and water pump.  When I bought my '84 30 months ago, cooling system was doing things such as you describe.  New water pump, new radiator fan and fan switch, and a professional radiator cleaning did the trick.

John in Middle GA
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Buettner, Peter 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 1999 4:35 PM
  Subject: overheating?

  My van shows an above normal temperature.  When I bought the van 6 months ago the needle of the temperature gauge was always just below the LED.  Several weeks ago the needle suddenly climbed just above the LED.  I checked the coolant overflow reservoir and found it empty.  I filled it up with about one quart of water.  The coolant level has been ok since then but the gauge still shows an above normal reading.  Today during warm wetter and slow traffic the needle went even higher, about halfway between the LED and the end of the scale.  The radiator fan came on a few times also.  
  Does anybody have an idea what's going on ?
   
  Many TIA,
  Peter
  90 Syncro Westy
  SF, CA

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