Many thanks to you all,

Using methods suggested by listees (thanks Ken) I have determined that my
thermostat is not opening as it should.

I set the van idling in the parking lot and watched the temp guage rise.  I
checked for coolant flow through the radiator by felling the hoses that run
to and from the radiator, at the radiator.  With the needle covering the
LED the hoses were still stone cold.  I checked in the engine bay and
fo,und that the large hose that brings water to the thermostat housing was
also cold.  The van had been idling for 20 minutes.  So my thermostat
appears to be stuck closed.  My theremo-switch may be just fine, but I have
no way to know until I get the thermostat replaced.

Now the Question:

Can I replace the thermostat without draining the coolant right out?  I
just had it flushed and filled last month and it seems a terrible waste.
If I have to drain it, can I reuse it if I use clean containers?

I think I will try to get one of the new "fail-open" thermostats this time
to reduce the effects of the next failure.

TIA

Miguel Calvin                              ==+=========
mcalvin@ican.net                          /[ ][  ][  ]}|
Guelph, Ontario, Canada                  |  _       _  |
"Frieden" is our 83.5 VW Campmobile      =='O`-----'O`-= ~~
with 1.9l wasserleaker and manual trans.