Are There Magnets in them Pumps ?

Post by **Fritz** » 27 Dec 2006, 22:32

Are you like us finding since the outside temperature has dropped to that magic zero and below (wind chill etc,etc) our van (1.9 petrol) has taken a liking for visiting the petrol station at every opportunity.

So during todays travels I noticed how long it takes the temp gauage to go anywhere near it is expected to,,,,,,,,

Does anyone use any method of trying to keep things warmer for longer ?

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 27 Dec 2006, 23:00

cover a percentage of the rad with cardboard to cut some of the cooling wind out.

Post by **futurecut** » 30 Dec 2006, 21:03

God, mine will be worse as my hot air pickup off the exhaust is gone!.......

Post by **toomanytoys** » 01 Jan 2007, 16:06

restric airflow through rad and also worth fitting a new gen VW thermostat.. could be the old one is tired and allowing to run cool..
check the auto choke is adjusted ok.. but any short trips in the cold will play havoc with mpg!!!!

Post by **Fritz** » 01 Jan 2007, 22:41

Yes I was just asking what measures and materials people use at this time of year ,,,,,,,,,,the van has lived most of it's life in London and the 'Stat' was removed as a matter of course.
It was one of the first things I did once we got it back home, along with changing the water pump, various engine hoses, engine bay bleed tube, anti freeze........

I'll have to wait till it chills off again before trying to block off the air flow to the radiator.....

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,

Post by **lloyd** » 02 Jan 2007, 18:59

Stat is a very important part of cooling system. Running without one means the engine has nothing regulating the operating temperature. Stat is closed when cold, open when at or above normal operating temp, and will close to keep engine from running below normal operating temp. If it runs below operating temp it also uses more petrol because sensors pick up cold reading and won't trip into normal operating temp/leaner mixture. Put in a new Stat and you should have heat and better mileage.

Good Luck!

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 03 Jan 2007, 10:47

stat problems - mines a diesel but same principle. i removed mine in the summer as it was overheating, i ran it without one (but it was summer after all) when it got a bit colder out, i got a new stat (thompson vw stamped on it), but when i fitted it it kept overheating so out it came, i went to gsf for another one, better, but it still takes 6 miles to run at normal temp ? so i completely covered the rad with cardboard so NO air comes through it, better, but still takes forever to get warm so i just give up now.... sod it !!!!