[Vwdiesel] Bad thermostat?

[dieseltdi at verizon.net]

I am running 50/50.  Today, I replaced the thermostat with a new one from NAPA.  The one in the car is the original VW and was an 89C thermostat so I replaced it with the same.  I took the car out for a good drive and it reached running temperature with the idiot gauge standing straight up and down and the regular gauge at 100C (212F).  It would fluctuate a bit above and below that number depending upon how hard I drive.  The interesting thing about all this is that the car has never ran with the temperature gauge at the middle, it has alway been slightly to the left of the light in the middle of the “gauge”.  The top of the radiator was hot but the bottom still wasn’t very warm.  Temperature today was only 54 so it was going through some pretty cool air.  I used my remote sensing cooking thermometer to check the temperature in the overflow tank a few minutes after shut down and it said 186F (88C)  So, here are my questions:  Anyone else running a VDO water temperature gauge?  If so why water temperatures are you seeing a running temperatures?  Maybe I am running fine now and was simply running too cool before?  Second question, are the radiators on these things crossflow?  I used my water hose today and ran the water in at full flow into the top and it came out just fine on the bottom but was that a valid test?   Just trying to pick everyone’s brains.  Obviously I would love to get this sorted out before it actually warms up around here.  Tomorrow I will check the fan thermos witch to make sure it is working.  Hayden


On Feb 8, 2014, at 1:41 AM, lbaird119 at aol.com wrote:

> 
> Are you runnign 50/50 coolant mix?  I ask because this is why I quit running the "hot" stat in my Rabbit.  If the coolant mix wasn't high enough (was running some vinegar water to make sure all was clean inside) there would be some boiling.  Just enough to apparently make a vapor pocket against the stat and seemingly insulate it from opening.  Blew a head gasket thanks to that.  Changed stat and thermoswitch back to the stock, near 180F thermostat.
> 
>  Otherwise I'd also suspect a bad stat or pressure cap.  With those temps you should be able to safely keep the engine temp down with your heater.
>     Loren
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dieseltdi <dieseltdi at verizon.net>.   
> To: Brian Decker <decker at toledotel.com>
> Cc: vw fans <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
> Sent: Fri, Feb 7, 2014 6:30 pm
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Bad thermostat?
> 
> 
> Fan did not run on shut off this morning or this afternoon.  All the other hoses 
> n the car were hot to the touch and the overflow tank was between max and min 
> ark and it was hot enough to burn my finger when I dipped it in.  What I find 
> eird is that there was no build up to this, it just suddenly happened.  I am 
> nclined to think thermostat because they do often fail in a closed condition. 
> TW the entire radiator was cold EXECPT for the top radiator hose.  Car ran fine 
> ithout any smoke or other indication of problems.  Hayden
> n Feb 7, 2014, at 8:21 PM, Brian Decker <decker at toledotel.com> wrote:
> 
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