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All,

I had just started into the 60,000 mile maintenance service and have
come across something you all should check out.

Before flushing the coolant, I decided to checkout the "Thermostat
control for shutters" [I'll call it the device]. Its mounted between
the electric fans. Its a simple device, air passes through the
radiator then hits the radiator cowl. The electric fans are mounted to
the cowling. There is a small hole, about .6" x 1", that allows air to
pass through, exposing the device to warm air. Curious about how it
operated, I took the hair dryer out and ran it for a while directing
the hot air on the device. Nothing happened. After several more
minutes, it finally moved, but not enough to open the shutters.

When closed, the shutters seal off the opening behind the electric
fans. If they stay closed, the electric fans are next to useless in
drawing air through the radiator! In fact, when you're driving, very
little air will pass through the radiator because there is no where for
the air to go.

I next took the 2 screws out holding the device to the cowling and
removed it. I could easily open each shutter - they stay open without
the device inplace to close them. Curious, I took the van out for a
quick spin. The engine warmed up like before, but it didn't get up
close to the 230 mark. The temp was reading about 2 notches below
where it had always ran, or about 34 degrees cooler! When I bought
the van last year, it was reading near the 230 mark. I always thought
the gauge was off and never paid attention to the high temp reading.

I have since ordered a new device, VWN701121183A, for $53.24 - it came
in a few days ago. I ran a bench test with it using the hair dryer.
Within 2 minutes on low speed holding the dryer about 6" away, it
quickly rotated the arms that would have opened the shutters. This
confirms the old part was bad.

I waited to post this until I confirmed the old part was bad. I
strongly suggest ALL 5 cyl EV owners checkout the operation of this
device (you VR6 engine owners don't have this device). All you have to
do is open the hood after driving the van (it has to be fully warmed
up)and feel the back of the electric fan/shutters (make sure the engine
is off, and don't pole your fingers into the shutter openings, the
electric fans can come on and ruin your day). You will know if the
shutters are open. If you want to see the device open the shutters,
just use a hair dryer.

You should check this because the coolant temp affects several things:
1. Engine operating temp - on a very hot day you probably have very
little cooling margin. This could be very serious if you tow something.
2. The automatic transmission (AT) fluid is "cooled" by the engine
coolant via the transmission cooler. I'm sure the AT/fluid would last
longer if it operated at the right temp.
3. The engine oil is also cooled by the engine coolant via the oil
cooler. I'm sure the engine/oil would last longer if it didn't operate
this hot.
4. There could be other side affects (AC compressor running hotter,
fuel lines being exposed to higher under hood temps?)

All of you who check the operation of there device, can you post if it
works or not. I will try to post a piture of the device tomorrow.

Jerry

"jerry carter" <sana-@...> wrote:
original article:

All,

I had just started into the 60,000 mile maintenance service and have
come across something you all should check out.

Before flushing the coolant, I decided to checkout the "Thermostat
control for shutters" [I'll call it the device]. Its mounted between
the electric fans. Its a simple device, air passes through the
radiator then hits the radiator cowl. The electric fans are mounted

to

the cowling. There is a small hole, about .6" x 1", that allows air

to

pass through, exposing the device to warm air. Curious about how it
operated, I took the hair dryer out and ran it for a while directing
the hot air on the device. Nothing happened. After several more
minutes, it finally moved, but not enough to open the shutters.

When closed, the shutters seal off the opening behind the electric
fans. If they stay closed, the electric fans are next to useless in
drawing air through the radiator! In fact, when you're driving, very
little air will pass through the radiator because there is no where

for

the air to go.

I next took the 2 screws out holding the device to the cowling and
removed it. I could easily open each shutter - they stay open without
the device inplace to close them. Curious, I took the van out for a
quick spin. The engine warmed up like before, but it didn't get up
close to the 230 mark. The temp was reading about 2 notches below
where it had always ran, or about 34 degrees cooler! When I bought
the van last year, it was reading near the 230 mark. I always thought
the gauge was off and never paid attention to the high temp reading.

I have since ordered a new device, VWN701121183A, for $53.24 - it came
in a few days ago. I ran a bench test with it using the hair dryer.
Within 2 minutes on low speed holding the dryer about 6" away, it
quickly rotated the arms that would have opened the shutters. This
confirms the old part was bad.

I waited to post this until I confirmed the old part was bad. I
strongly suggest ALL 5 cyl EV owners checkout the operation of this
device (you VR6 engine owners don't have this device). All you have

to

do is open the hood after driving the van (it has to be fully warmed
up)and feel the back of the electric fan/shutters (make sure the

engine

is off, and don't pole your fingers into the shutter openings, the
electric fans can come on and ruin your day). You will know if the
shutters are open. If you want to see the device open the shutters,
just use a hair dryer.

You should check this because the coolant temp affects several things:
1. Engine operating temp - on a very hot day you probably have very
little cooling margin. This could be very serious if you tow

something.

2. The automatic transmission (AT) fluid is "cooled" by the engine
coolant via the transmission cooler. I'm sure the AT/fluid would last
longer if it operated at the right temp.
3. The engine oil is also cooled by the engine coolant via the oil
cooler. I'm sure the engine/oil would last longer if it didn't

operate

this hot.
4. There could be other side affects (AC compressor running hotter,
fuel lines being exposed to higher under hood temps?)

All of you who check the operation of there device, can you post if it
works or not. I will try to post a piture of the device tomorrow.

Jerry

I just checked mine, and no shutters. Must have something to do with
California weather....

Do you have the 5 or 6 cyl engine?

Jerry

"nkaps" <nkap-@...> wrote:
original article:

"jerry carter" <sana-@...> wrote:
original article:

All,

I had just started into the 60,000 mile maintenance service and have
come across something you all should check out.

Before flushing the coolant, I decided to checkout the "Thermostat
control for shutters" [I'll call it the device]. Its mounted

between

the electric fans. Its a simple device, air passes through the
radiator then hits the radiator cowl. The electric fans are mounted

to

the cowling. There is a small hole, about .6" x 1", that allows air

to

pass through, exposing the device to warm air. Curious about how it
operated, I took the hair dryer out and ran it for a while directing
the hot air on the device. Nothing happened. After several more
minutes, it finally moved, but not enough to open the shutters.

When closed, the shutters seal off the opening behind the electric
fans. If they stay closed, the electric fans are next to useless in
drawing air through the radiator! In fact, when you're driving,

very

little air will pass through the radiator because there is no where

for

the air to go.

I next took the 2 screws out holding the device to the cowling and
removed it. I could easily open each shutter - they stay open

without

the device inplace to close them. Curious, I took the van out for a
quick spin. The engine warmed up like before, but it didn't get up
close to the 230 mark. The temp was reading about 2 notches below
where it had always ran, or about 34 degrees cooler! When I bought
the van last year, it was reading near the 230 mark. I always

thought

the gauge was off and never paid attention to the high temp

reading.

I have since ordered a new device, VWN701121183A, for $53.24 - it

came

in a few days ago. I ran a bench test with it using the hair

dryer.

Within 2 minutes on low speed holding the dryer about 6" away, it
quickly rotated the arms that would have opened the shutters. This
confirms the old part was bad.

I waited to post this until I confirmed the old part was bad. I
strongly suggest ALL 5 cyl EV owners checkout the operation of this
device (you VR6 engine owners don't have this device). All you have

to

do is open the hood after driving the van (it has to be fully warmed
up)and feel the back of the electric fan/shutters (make sure the

engine

is off, and don't pole your fingers into the shutter openings, the
electric fans can come on and ruin your day). You will know if the
shutters are open. If you want to see the device open the shutters,
just use a hair dryer.

You should check this because the coolant temp affects several

things:

1. Engine operating temp - on a very hot day you probably have very
little cooling margin. This could be very serious if you tow

something.

2. The automatic transmission (AT) fluid is "cooled" by the engine
coolant via the transmission cooler. I'm sure the AT/fluid would

last

longer if it operated at the right temp.
3. The engine oil is also cooled by the engine coolant via the oil
cooler. I'm sure the engine/oil would last longer if it didn't

operate

this hot.
4. There could be other side affects (AC compressor running hotter,
fuel lines being exposed to higher under hood temps?)

All of you who check the operation of there device, can you post if

it

works or not. I will try to post a piture of the device tomorrow.

Jerry

I just checked mine, and no shutters. Must have something to do with
California weather....

"jerry carter" <sana-@...> wrote:
original article:

Do you have the 5 or 6 cyl engine?

Jerry

"nkaps" <nkap-@...> wrote:
original article:

"jerry carter" <sana-@...> wrote:
original article:

All,

I had just started into the 60,000 mile maintenance service and

have

come across something you all should check out.

I have the 5 cylinder 1995 EVC

Before flushing the coolant, I decided to checkout the "Thermostat
control for shutters" [I'll call it the device]. Its mounted

between

the electric fans. Its a simple device, air passes through the
radiator then hits the radiator cowl. The electric fans are

mounted

to

the cowling. There is a small hole, about .6" x 1", that allows

air

to

pass through, exposing the device to warm air. Curious about how

it

operated, I took the hair dryer out and ran it for a while

directing

the hot air on the device. Nothing happened. After several more
minutes, it finally moved, but not enough to open the shutters.

When closed, the shutters seal off the opening behind the electric
fans. If they stay closed, the electric fans are next to useless

in

drawing air through the radiator! In fact, when you're driving,

very

little air will pass through the radiator because there is no

where

for

the air to go.

I next took the 2 screws out holding the device to the cowling and
removed it. I could easily open each shutter - they stay open

without

the device inplace to close them. Curious, I took the van out

for a

quick spin. The engine warmed up like before, but it didn't get

up

close to the 230 mark. The temp was reading about 2 notches below
where it had always ran, or about 34 degrees cooler! When I

bought

the van last year, it was reading near the 230 mark. I always

thought

the gauge was off and never paid attention to the high temp

reading.

I have since ordered a new device, VWN701121183A, for $53.24 - it

came

in a few days ago. I ran a bench test with it using the hair

dryer.

Within 2 minutes on low speed holding the dryer about 6" away, it
quickly rotated the arms that would have opened the shutters.

This

confirms the old part was bad.

I waited to post this until I confirmed the old part was bad. I
strongly suggest ALL 5 cyl EV owners checkout the operation of

this

device (you VR6 engine owners don't have this device). All you

have

to

do is open the hood after driving the van (it has to be fully

warmed

up)and feel the back of the electric fan/shutters (make sure the

engine

is off, and don't pole your fingers into the shutter openings, the
electric fans can come on and ruin your day). You will know if

the

shutters are open. If you want to see the device open the

shutters,

just use a hair dryer.

You should check this because the coolant temp affects several

things:

1. Engine operating temp - on a very hot day you probably have

very

little cooling margin. This could be very serious if you tow

something.

2. The automatic transmission (AT) fluid is "cooled" by the

engine

coolant via the transmission cooler. I'm sure the AT/fluid would

last

longer if it operated at the right temp.
3. The engine oil is also cooled by the engine coolant via the

oil

cooler. I'm sure the engine/oil would last longer if it didn't

operate

this hot.
4. There could be other side affects (AC compressor running

hotter,

fuel lines being exposed to higher under hood temps?)

All of you who check the operation of there device, can you post

if

it

works or not. I will try to post a piture of the device tomorrow.

Jerry

I just checked mine, and no shutters. Must have something to do

with

California weather....

Jerry:



I checked my (Canadian specs) 1995 van, and it has no shutters. I
wonder if indeed it has to do with California, but rather with its
famously stringent emissions requirements?



I've wondered which kind of vans have the pull-out rad and grille;
perhaps this has something to do with the possible addition of the
shutters and the working space they would take up? Jerry, does your
rad and grille pull forward for easier access to the engine?



Marcus Elia

Peterborough, ON

'95 EV GLS [ on which the grille and rad won't pull forward no matter
how hard I pull... :) ]