Thermostat question...

[Martipants]

Browsing through the wiki I came across the article about why a thermostat is important. Sounds reasnable. And now I'm concerned because my mechanic suggested bypassing it and running with the flaps open all the time to 'avoid problems with it'. Now I'm confused. She runs great when she's warm but I'm worried I am doing damage to my engine unwittingly. Any thoughts? What to do next. Get the thermostat re-instated?

[camper]

If the bellow thermostat or the wire to it which goes to control the flaps is faulty.Your mechanic is right about leaving the flaps open.The flaps open will ensure that cooling on the cylinder& heads kept.The bellow thermostat with its wire to the flap control rod when working correctly keeps the flaps closed cold then expands when hot and opens the flaps.A replacement thermostat for the 2ltr cu can be difficult to obtain.Its a common practice to set the flaps open without a thermostat dont worry it will do no harm as if left closed overheating will happen .

[cumbriankeith]

But it won't warm up as quickly - so if you do lots of short journeys the engine wear will be greater, supposedly....
Status VW have them and they're only £80!
http://www.status-vw.co.uk/shop/index.h ... lang=en-gb
Brand new thermostat. Genuine VW. Years 79-82. £ 79.95
021 119 159 A

[Martipants]

Cheers...at the moment I am doing loads of short runs (should be cycling to work really) so worth considering.... all the same a I feel reassured... thanks