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Subject:Coolant line temps (?)
From:Stephen Steele
Date:Fri, 28 Mar 2003 00:40:23 -0500

Franz, the '87 Westy, broke out of his winter quarters today and was seen
running up and down the streets of the first capital of Ohio.

At 16 years old, he ran like a new colt with only about 20 minutes of
"stuck" lifter clatter.  His newly rebuilt AT performed flawlessly and the
tired and achy front end suspension quieted down after half an hour of
driving.   I feel we are ready for EB03.
BUT...

After installing rebuilt heads last year I have noticed that the engine
temps tend to run higher than any van I have ever owned. The temp gauge
needle sits at the LED and raises to about a needle's width higher when
sitting idling for 5 minutes or more (but no higher). My question is....
for those of you with the infrared temperature guns...
What temperatures are you reading at the left side engine coolant tube
(measured at a spot between the cylinders) ?   Mine is between 198 and 206.

My radiator fan kicks on at +/- 205 degrees.

Are these readings normal?   I picked up my gun last fall and am unsure of
my readings. Are these normal?
Thanks in advance.

Stephen Steele*
Chillicothe OH
'91 Caravelle  "Hans"
'87 Westy      "Franz"
'84 Westfalia  "Fritz"
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U. Unknown future????
'90 Jetta GL  18yo Sons' "together" car.
'74 MGB  My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'93 Chevy S-10
'91 Jetta Diesel            My "new" daily driver
*all rights reserved/no portion of this document may be reproduced w/o prior
written permission

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