Thermostat

[westernair]

Rambelings
First off I assume the oil thermostat is under the round plate between the oil filter and the oil cooler. Is there anyway to "test" to see if this is working? I drove the pinz today at lunch and then pulled the engine cover off. I have always been puzzled by the amount of water/oil gue I find under the oil cap I assume the engine is just not getting up to proper temp to burn it off. After doing my normal check over of the engine bay, I felt the oil cooler and found it to be barely warm. I decided to place a sheet of paper in front of the cooler to block the air flow through it. The cooler began warming up within a 5 or so minutes of ideling, so now I wonder if my thermostat might be stuck open and if there is a way of testing it before ordering a new one.

[westernair]

If the thermostat is where I think it is, I would expect I should be able to pull it and place it in a pot of water on the stove correct? Then use a thermometer to figure out what temperature it opens at if it even moves. Correct?
Assuming it is not stuck open; does anyone know what temperature it should be at to move? 120 deg, 180 deg or?
Thanks in advance
Shawn

[Jim LaGuardia]

That plate is actually the top of the thermostat assembly. You will never get rid of the goo on your cap in you geographic location. Moist air and short trips do not make it easy to burn off the moisture.
Thermostat is covered in the service manual................start reading
I doubt it will be faulty, the cooling system is very efficient.
If you do remove it, replace the o ring before putting it back in(thermostat is keyed to studs, only drops in 1 way)

[krick3tt]

Never got rid of the 'goo' in WA. Too wet and cold, especially around town.
Wipe it off and just keep your eye on it. Not really a problem. You may find a similar issue under the valve covers when you check the gap. Again, wipe it off and go. Drive farther.

[westernair]

Well I have driven it up to lake Ozette area already a few times (4.5 hrs each way) loaded with nine people, backpacking gear and still the goo in the oil. Having air cooled VW's for 25 years I know it is a problem for short trips but I never had a probablem on long ones. I guess these motors are just way better at cooling the early bus motors are...
Before you ask, Yes 9 people in a K model, I moved the rear seats to face backwards behind the bulkhead and installed two fold out seats from an M in the back. This truck is used to cary boyscouts into the woods primarly

[totaljoint]

Mine has the same problem in the winter, gone in the summer up here.
Some owners have previously have posted very nice covers made to restrict air flow through the tunnel.

I've wondered if the condensation in the oil reduces it's lubrication abilities or could cause corrosion in the inner workings?

[krick3tt]

Ed,
Good question. I change oil often so it isn't something I dread. Changing oil is cheap insurance for lots of issues.

I have a cover like you mentioned, use it when it gets below 20 deg F

[westernair]

Mine has the same problem in the winter, gone in the summer up here.
Some owners have previously have posted very nice covers made to restrict air flow through the tunnel.

I've wondered if the condensation in the oil reduces it's lubrication abilities or could cause corrosion in the inner workings?

EXACTLY What I fear
Looking at my dip stick I see pitting on it starting at about 2 inches up from the end. I am concerned this might be happening to other parts.