So, after 7 years you are now concerned? Not using a thermostat on any
water cooled car is stupid. It is especially bad for most VW-Audi products
as a missing thermostat actually reduces cooling capacity. That is due to
the fact that the t-stat is really a mixing valve. As the thermostat opens
to allow cool water from the radiator to flow, it also closes a bypass
that re-circulates the coolant within the engine to keeps temperatures the
same everywhere.   Not only is a cool running engine bad for condensation
and carbon build up problems, but since the temperature is regularly
varying as load and speed changes, everything is getting a workout from
constant expansion and contraction.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Chris Snyder
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 4:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Thermistat ???

Hello all fellow list members!

OK, I am asking a question I have been toying with every since I bought
the
Van about 7 years ago. My mechanic which is the same person I bought my
1987
Wolfburg edition from has always run my Van without any thermostat in the
cooling system. He says that A. It is better for the head gaskets, hoses
etc. (Hoses
replaced a year ago. And B. As hot as it gets here it's is better for the
engine to not use the thermostat and C. with the mild winters we have the
heat
that is produced from the heaters is sufficient.

I am afraid that without the engine not warming up to normal temp it will
get
a build up of carbon etc.

It hasn't seemed to be hurting the engine as it purrs along and has been
for
about 7 years without the thermostat. Opinions, etc., please. I would like
to
know if anyone has heard of this being done and/or if another members have
ever done this in the long term.

If it will hurt the Van please say so and I'll put one in regardless of
what
my mechanic has said.

Thanks,

Chris Snider   </HTML>