My 91 syncro over-heated,  My question: How do I test the Temp Gauge?
has anyone ever heard of temp gauges going only half-way up and not
continuing to register a 'hot' engine?

At first I was understanding as I was going 5 KPH in granny gear on a hot
day (33 C) for 20 minutes and the rad fan was cycling on high.  When I came
to an idle (deep in the back woods), the engine quite and I had to let it all
cool for 20 minutes to get it to go again, it would start but not idle, like a
piston was rubbing in the cylinder.

But then driving back home on the highway - as I down-shifted to turn on to
my street, it quite again. - but again  all was OK after 20 minutes.  This was
un-forgivable!

During the whole trip, the temp gauge NEVER went above the red dot (1/2
way mark)!!!!!

Oil level is OK, There is/was coolant in the reservoir, today I 'blead' the
radiator and only a tiny wisp of air came out.  At idle, there is coolant being
pumped back into the reservoir.

The ONLY thing I can think of is that (re a previous post) I had everything out
of the van. and I wanted to test the rear heater for leaks and for this trip I had
the valve open and I did not have the rear fan 'on'.  I believe that this might let
hot coolant circulate back into the engine.  (no coolant leak at the rear
heater).

I have been on the list for 2 years and I do not recall this being discussed.  I
might say that the van has worked flawlessly in the 2 years I have owned it.
Thanks,  Malcolm