[Vwdiesel] Coolant flow through stock oil cooler/heat exchanger

[Libbybapa at wmconnect.com]

On the diesel vanagon group there has been a somewhat ongoing discussion of 
the pros and cons of the stock oil cooler/heat exchanger.  It has always been 
my understanding that the exchanger aids in warming the oil, as coolant gets 
hotter first and tranfers heat to the cold oil, and also removes heat spikes in 
the oil when at operating temp by flowing heat from oil into the coolant.  
After looking at the system and attempting to draw a coolant flow diagram, it 
seems that the only flow through the oil cooler/heat exchanger is by thermosiphon 
when thermostat is closed (therefore doing nothing to warm cold oil-actually 
a detriment), and either hottest coolant flowing through "cooler" or 
thermosiphon after thermostat is open.  Can this be correct.  I will try to attach my 
flow diagram.  If it can't be attached then I will p-mail to all individuals 
interrested in entering into the discussion.
Andrew