Aircooled thermostats...

[Zomerzet]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my 2.0l Aircooled CU engine and the thermostat I had has completely expanded making it useless. I'm stuggling to find a replacement. Is there anyone that sells these or if not is there an alternative way of operating the flaps (Possibly electronically)?

If there's nothing out there, does anyone know what sort of ambient temps the flaps are supposed to operate at as I may be able to design something based around a stepper motor/temp sensor set up

[BOXY]

No help, but I'd be interested in hearing if you come up with anything. My van hasn't ever had one so my flaps have always been fully open.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Wingy wongy flaps are more trouble than they are worth.

The replacement thermostat is € 80.

I have come across these siezed. fortunately in the open position.

A couple of videos for you:

http://www.youtube.com/user/sarran1955/videos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You need 'How to build up... part 2'

Use paint matching gaffer tape to cover the holes in the tinware.

Make sure your rubber engine surround fits snugly.

Make sure you have all your tinware, and that it fits nicely.

Happy Aircooled motoring...

Cordialement,

[bigherb]

New ones are not available you have to modify the beetle ones, the brass extension unscrews from the the thermostat leaving the thread the cable screws onto. It is usually loctited on but does eventually unscrew using a good pair of pliers. They do open at a slightly lower temperature but it still drives a lot better when cold.
Don't remove the flaps the left one works as a diverter for the air flow through the oil cooler, no flaps no oil cooling.

[Zomerzet]

Hmm, interesting stuff. So bin the wibbly wobbly flaps or not then

It'd certainly be the easiest option for me. I'm not planning to be driving during the winter months (Not that that makes any difference in this country!). I can always retrofit, depending on how I get on with it. I'm fitting good condition tinware which I'm hammeriting and making sure it all flows the cooling air as efficiently as poss.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Watch the video.

Look at the flaps..

Pathetic, aren't they.

Air system....oil cooler no problem.... it was a problem on Beetles.

If you've got the tinware apart, look at how it works.

The films are mostly CT engines, but it's essentially all the same things, oil cooler, tinware etc.

I run mine hard all winter ski ing, and then long hot thrashes in summer...

No issues.

Cordialement,

[matt-northey]

i am going to run the flaps open all the time makes senes and less to worrie about

my brothers 69 beetle runs with flaps open all the time been like it for 2 years still happy motoring!!

[Zomerzet]

That's good to know. It saves faffing with a 'new' thermostat. Just a case of sealing any holes properly to ensure no leaks then, like the rest of the tinware!

[faggie]

the thing with binning the cooling flaps or leaving the flaps open all the time, is in winter it will take forever for the engine to get up to temperature so the heaters will be even worse than normal and you will get more wear on your engine vw put them there for a reason

[clem]

mine 'ant got no flaps and in winter just stick an extra coat on