Thermostats

[AlanCote@aol.com]

< I got a german 180 degree one, even though my car was running very cool and
had no problems. I pulled out the old one out and it was a 160! Wow. So I
put the 180 in and it ran a little hotter (now right at the bottom of the
warning light) but I noticed no power loss or anything. >


A lower temp. thermostat simply opens/closes at a lower temperature, yes? This
wouldn't seem like it would matter when the car is warmed up - it seems like
it would only make the car warm up slower, but the end point would be the
same. Or am I missing something?

I ask because my '86 8v, in summer months, typcially runs with the temp gauge
needle pointing right about where the red starts. The car has never
overheated, but it makes me uneasy. In cool/cold weather, the needle hangs
right in the middle of the gauge. Am I trying to read the gauge too literally?
In the course of replacing the radiator, all hoses, and thermostat (don't
remember what temp), nothing has changed. Opinions are much appreciated here.

Alan C.
'86 'Rocco 8v
'88 Jetta GLI 16v
(and maybe soon a '93 Passat Wagon - VR6, 5-spd, 86k - thoughts?)

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