Thermostat not opening in cold weather or paranoia?

[Deebs]

I've been keeping my eye on this since I installed the thermostat and flaps recently. Since it was my first time installing, I researched on here and found this procedure for installing the thermostat:

1) Screw in thermostat to the link rod (I screwed in gently all the way up until I felt resistance). I also checked to make sure the link moved freely up and down without much resistance.
2) Installed the bracket loosely, and placed the thermostat inside the bracket.
3) Where the bracket sat in relation to the position of the fully screwed in thermostat, I then tightened the bracket. At this point, the bracket is fully mounted and the thermostat is screwed in, sitting high up off the bottom of the bracket.
4) Pulled the thermostat/rod down into its seat in the bottom of the bracket and fastened it down with the bolt.

Today I went for a roughly 5-10 mile, 20 minute drive. The temperature outside is 43* (feels like 39*). I took photos of before and after because I wanted to visually see if the thermostat was functioning properly, or if I installed it wrong.

Needless to say, both before and after look the same.

Before:

After 20 minute drive:

Does this seem normal for this temperature? I may try again with a longer drive (I never really got over 40 mph this time).

It's a bone stock 1600DP and was just tuned up including valves, timing plugs etc...

So, am I overthinking this?

[VW_Jimbo]

Not a good enough test. Go get an industrial heat gun, like for taking paint off of walls. Then remove the thermostat and bracket from the car, but leave the thermostat in the bracket, because if they grow larger than the bracket allowance, they go bad!

With it out of the car, blow that hot air over it, for a little bit, maybe 4 or 5 minutes. You will see it expand fully. If it does not expand, go for another 5 minutes. If it still does nothing, you do need a new thermostat.

Also, with the thermostat removed, be sure you can push the flap rod up easily. Sometimes these get installed incorrectly and bind up in the head or on the flaps. Seen that a few times!
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[Deebs]

[olspeed]

Where the rod goes thru the head make sure that it travels smoothly... you should be able to pull on it and move it freely up and down with just slight resistance from the spring.
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[kpf]

Definitely make sure that the rod or other parts of the mechanism are not binding, and that it is all free to move.

I don't have any cold-weather experience (southern California), but my thermostat will start opening just by idling in the driveway. If I remember correctly, the choke opens up and shortly after that I'm able to see the that the thermostat has started expanding.

I've also noticed that if I look at the thermostat after returning from a short drive of only a few miles around town, the thermostat looks fully expanded (or very close to it).


Regards,
Kris
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[busdaddy]

This is a great read and well worth the time: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=705328
It's like seeing if the light really goes out when you close the fridge door
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[Deebs]

[Tim Donahoe]

If the thermostat is expanding all the way so that the top of the thermostat is in contact with the bottom of the upper part of the bracket, then you should b in good shape.

But to check ... when cold, remove the bottom thermostat bolt and let the thermostat pop up. Then pull the thermostat down and release it. It should pop up all the way easily. If not, it’s ganging up. I’d also tell you to test if the thermostat opens, but you know it does already.

I adjust the thermostat and bracket simultaneously. I remove the thermostat bottom bolt, then loosen the thermostat bracket nut. At this point, I push up on the thermostat all the way until it stops. This procedure simultaneously pushes the bracket up where it should be. Then, I tighten the bracket bolt, pull the thermostat down into its slot, and install the thermostat bolt.

You can check to see that your flap linkage is moving by having an assistant look in front of the fan shroud while you push and pull on the loose thermostat. Naturally, you do this before adjusting it.

If you’re not getting some really hot air blowing from the heads, your thermostat will not open until you get to 65 degrees Centigrade. Check on a chart to compare to Fahrenheit. I think you’ll find that’s pretty hot.

Edit: Actually, I just checked and 149 F, is equivalent to 65 C.

Tim
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[Glenn]

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[Deebs]

[wcfvw69]

I read somewhere that in really cold places like 20° of lower, the thermostat will not open all the way if at all. It helps the engine try to reach temperature in those cold temps.
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[TX-73]

Besides verifying that the flaps move freely, be really sure the vertical connecting rod has clearance as it routes thru the cylinder head. Just a slight tweak and it will bind. I had one that was a bit off, no matter how I tried to make it right it just wouldn't clear as it moved thru its operating range. Got another oem rod thru classifieds and it was perfect.
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[olspeed]

[grandpa red]

Are new thermostats available?

[vamram]

Awesomepowdercoat.com fabricates and sells them.
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[bhartwell59]

[74 Thing]

Make sure your fail safe open spring is attached behind the shroud.

[garyloos]

http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Thermostat-Type-1-65-70C-111-119-159A-p/111-119-159a.htm

Got mine through Aircooled,net
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1972 Super Convertible

[gt1953]

The thermostats show up from time to time hear in classifieds and are snapped up. I check mine from time to time in the winter and summer, jast have to make sure all if operating correctly.
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[Deebs]

I bought my whole setup from Awesome Powdercoat. The quality is great. The spring is definitely installed behind the shroud as well.