fan flaps

[bugger]

Having asked a few people in the know the overwhelming responce was to not bother with them at all,if they stick in the shut position whilst travelling then you have got problems,if they are not fitted then you cant have any problems ,mind you i aint got a Haynes manual and the offer still stands come up Temple Cloud anytime on Saturday where someone will give you any advice you want 8)

 

[robins]

:lol: cheers bugger ill see what time i got saturday,you will need to tell me where abouts in
temple cloud you are mate,cheers

rich

 

[Araon]

Not quite that simple ... indeed if they stick shut you'll cook the heads and barrels however

a reasonably maintained engine then they wont stick in the shut rather the fail safe open position with the heads being permanently cooled.

Without them in then you will not get the heads and barrels to temp early on rather the fan will slow the temp rise and increase wear on these items.

 

[robins]

i will be putting them in as just spent out for the bitts,theromostat was 40 guid
so ill use it till it sticks

rich

 

[bugger]

what exactly is the problem?
I dont have any pics but refitted mine a couple of months ago so might be able to help?

mine was missing so got a few bits,flaps bar ,spring thermostat and rod,put it together
and the bar at the back when on one set of flaps wont fit on the other,so i thought i might be missing a bit,but the BOOK says iam not :?

Whoever had the van before you took them out,so i take it your engine was ok,
I am a little Miffed about the fact that a couple of people have said buy a Manual, rather than give you the advice you asked for,I thought that was the point of having this forum so peeps could help each other out :roll: :roll:

 

[robins]

Whoever had the van before you took them out,so i take it your engine was ok,
I am a little Miffed about the fact that a couple of people have said buy a Manual, rather than give you the advice you asked for,I thought that was the point of having this forum so peeps could help each other out :roll: :roll:

the van came from the USA last May,i think most from a warmer climate would have them missing, as for the engine after i had it serviced they told me it had been over heated at some point :? dont know how they no this,but inoticed that the stat was missing.

 

[Loxy]

I am a little Miffed about the fact that a couple of people have said buy a Manual, rather than give you the advice you asked for,I thought that was the point of having this forum so peeps could help each other out :roll: :roll:

I think the point was that it would be easier to understand if he had a manual with pics/exploded diagrams in it, rather than we wont help, it also wasnt clear at the beginning of the thread what the exact problem was.
A manual is also more likely to provide facts rather than opinions that can be given freely on a forum but arent always correct, I for one wouldn't plan to run my engine without the flaps & thermostat, I'm pretty sure the people that designed them put them there for a reason

I'm (and I think you will find most of the other forum members) all for giving help where I can but that doesnt change the fact that as an owner of a 37+ year old vehicle you are at some point going to need to look at a manual because the forum wont always be available e.g. at the side of the road after a breakdown.

 

[noddy]

One of the books I have on hot rodding Vdub engines recommends that even if you don't use the thermostat you should leave the flaps in and in the open position. The reason for this is the flaps also act as air dams and push different volumes of air to the barrels and heads.

I have found that my 1600 Sp runs better with them fitted, and this winter Ive found that the cabin warms up in about 4 miles of A road driving at 50 mph, so no icy windows and misting up to contend with.

Loads of people seem to think that VW fit these things for a laugh. If you ran a business would you spend money on development, parts, and assembly if they weren't needed?

 

[robins]

i got them in now,flattened the bar and then bent it again so they moved freely,
as for spring a new hole will have to be drilled,it falls off when opened.
thanks everyone for the help,lets hope the engines back in by saturday evening.

why wont it start will be the next one


cheers rich

 

[Araon]

I'll be honest this got my blood boiling, hence I staved off and got showered before responding, there are times when only a well specced manual will provide the detail you want....

being one of the individuals that miffed you, I offer no appologies, the original post was after pics of the flap set up, now, however good, digital cameras are they wont sustitute a proffessionally develloped exploded view, now I offered a reasonable source in fact one of the best I've come across for this specific question.... followed up with pics....

you offered a bit of hear say, which quite frankly is one of the reasons ( albeit one of the more minor myths followed ) that so many of these beautiful engines are in the state they are.....

Even in the hotter climates the engine should be brought up to temp in a fairly controlled manner, a manner that this simple device offers to remarkable effect....

 

[bugger]

im sure that 40 years ago vw spent a fortune on developing how to get the best from their engines, of course germany does have harsher winters than ourselves,But i do know one thing i like many others wont be putting the flaps on my engine as id rather have it run cold than end up with a nice little engine rebuild,oh and i must remember to renew my rac cover,the cost of books these days

 

[the councillor]

*a little knowledge is a dangerous thing*

 

[Loxy]

i must remember to renew my rac cover,the cost of books these days

That'll be why you provided such valuable advice on this thread then :lol:

 

[Tofufi]

*a little knowledge is a dangerous thing*

Sorry 'Bugger' mate, I have to agree with those who fit flaps. Running without them will make your engine run hotter, not cooler. They direct air where it is needed most. Even if you are going to run without a thermostat, at least keep the flaps. There has been testing carried out in the last 10 years which shows the above to be true.

Just my two pence worth.

See ya at the next club meet I suspect.