Club 80-90 Forums

Ian Hulley wrote:You may just be looking for what killed the last engine

EXTREME caution required.

Totally agree, I would find out what is going on before using the van on the road any more.
If it goes pear shaped you are looking at a £1000+ spend

Do as recommended above and then let us know the findings.

I WAS RIGHT
The stat was seized removed stat and now both rad pipes hot just took on a long run and running great at nice low temps

Next step replacement stat to fit

kevtherev wrote:
try running without the thermostat see what happens to the gauge, it should hardly get to half way if it's bled right and non fitted

No I was right...

Yes sorry got carried away with success

You was right

no your wrong it's ..you were right

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh

So I have fitted the new stat and back to square one???
The thermostat is starting to open when the temp gauge is on 3/4??????????
And steam from behind dash and gearstick area when on 3/4???????????? (only minor)

When the stat was out it circulated fine but gauge only just got off cold

Could I have a temp gauge fault????? And the engine temp is fine???? (the fuel gauge is all over the place and does not read right? Could be a coincidence?)

Also although my van is a 83 it has a later engine fitted (stat housing at rear)

Getting well hacked off now

Cookie77 wrote: And steam from behind dash and gearstick area when on 3/4???????????? (only minor)

That is likely to be a leak in the heater matrix or the pipes to it. Quite a big job to get at to be honest.
As it is nearly summer, you could temporarily blank off the heater pipes at the engine end though.

Cookie77 wrote:Could I have a temp gauge fault????? And the engine temp is fine???? (the fuel gauge is all over the place and does not read right? Could be a coincidence?)

NOT coincidence. Both gauges are fed via the (delicate) ribbon style PCB with 10 volts from a little 3 legged voltage regulator. Your faulty gauges could well be due to poor connections, or a faulty 10 volt regulator.

My words on the regulator are in our wiki at = https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... uel_gauges" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I used to notice steam from gearstick area when it was frosty - easy fix - it was the heater control valve that was leaking. It sits below the gearstick so naturally rises up into the gaiter.

Aye, good point, and if it does turn out to be that you can breath a sigh of relief !

Will try these many thanks for all the help