Cooling flap system on a '74 2.0 stuck open Options

[Lockwodo]

Hi all. As I work through the maintenance issues on the '74 2.0 I bought recently, I noticed that the cooling flaps are wide open (as they would be when engine is warmed up) all the time. Since this is the default position when a thermostat fails, I'll be checking the thermostat and wire/pulley mechanism. But just wondering what priority resolving this should have? It's not like I don't have plenty of other things to take care of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The car starts from cold, idles and runs well. I live in an area where it's unlikely I'll be starting and driving the car in temperatures below 60 degrees F. What do you think?

[wonkipop]

Hi all. As I work through the maintenance issues on the '74 2.0 I bought recently, I noticed that the cooling flaps are wide open (as they would be when engine is warmed up) all the time. Since this is the default position when a thermostat fails, I'll be checking the thermostat and wire/pulley mechanism. But just wondering what priority resolving this should have? It's not like I don't have plenty of other things to take care of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The car starts from cold, idles and runs well. I live in an area where it's unlikely I'll be starting and driving the car in temperatures below 60 degrees F. What do you think?

i haven't had mine hooked up for 30+ years.
but i live in australia. where its hot.
and for many years with all vws, almost from new, folks would routinely disconnect the system on just about all air cooled vws.

having said that the flaps do have a job to do for a quick warm up and for providing the right operating temp in all climates - so i don't disagree with those who say it must be hooked up.

but i would put it down the list.
not hard to fix.
but good reliable replacement thermos are harder to find these days.

[Lockwodo]

Hi all. As I work through the maintenance issues on the '74 2.0 I bought recently, I noticed that the cooling flaps are wide open (as they would be when engine is warmed up) all the time. Since this is the default position when a thermostat fails, I'll be checking the thermostat and wire/pulley mechanism. But just wondering what priority resolving this should have? It's not like I don't have plenty of other things to take care of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The car starts from cold, idles and runs well. I live in an area where it's unlikely I'll be starting and driving the car in temperatures below 60 degrees F. What do you think?

i haven't had mine hooked up for 30+ years.
but i live in australia. where its hot.
and for many years with all vws, almost from new, folks would routinely disconnect the system on just about all air cooled vws.

having said that the flaps do have a job to do for a quick warm up and for providing the right operating temp in all climates - so i don't disagree with those who say it must be hooked up.

but i would put it down the list.
not hard to fix.
but good reliable replacement thermos are harder to find these days.

Got it, and thanks wonkipop. Auto Atlanta lists one for under $55:

http://www.autoatlanta.com/results.php

[wonkipop]

Hi all. As I work through the maintenance issues on the '74 2.0 I bought recently, I noticed that the cooling flaps are wide open (as they would be when engine is warmed up) all the time. Since this is the default position when a thermostat fails, I'll be checking the thermostat and wire/pulley mechanism. But just wondering what priority resolving this should have? It's not like I don't have plenty of other things to take care of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The car starts from cold, idles and runs well. I live in an area where it's unlikely I'll be starting and driving the car in temperatures below 60 degrees F. What do you think?

i haven't had mine hooked up for 30+ years.
but i live in australia. where its hot.
and for many years with all vws, almost from new, folks would routinely disconnect the system on just about all air cooled vws.

having said that the flaps do have a job to do for a quick warm up and for providing the right operating temp in all climates - so i don't disagree with those who say it must be hooked up.

but i would put it down the list.
not hard to fix.
but good reliable replacement thermos are harder to find these days.

Got it, and thanks wonkipop. Auto Atlanta lists one for under $55:

http://www.autoatlanta.com/results.php

@Lockwodo .

i would not install the $55.00 thermostat.

the $55.00 one is the VW of Mexico beetle thermostat (spring design) that superceded the original german design which is the upper one (bellows design) in illustration attached.

the old style belllows thermostats have to be rebuilt. not cheap to do and not necessarily rebuilt to original specs. difficult piece to remanufacture.
hence much higher price on AA website.
its the same where-ever you look.

the original design fails in the open position. fail safe.

mexican revision fails in the closed position. result = cooked engine.

don't ask me why VW would be so stupid as to have done this.
its probably a simpler and cheaper device. but whats the point?
a thermostat even in a watercooled engine is designed to fail open and mostly they do.

thats why i have not hooked up my thermo on my car.
the bellows unit is shot and its been for 30 years.
i haven't found a rebuilt/reman/aftermarket one anywhere for less than around that $300 AUD mark minimum.




EDIT

i am going to have to find this stuff again.
it might be that the bottom spring one is the revised mexican design.
there is some problem.
let me look back through my stuff on this again that i looked into a year ago.