Gregor writes:

>     hi everyone,
>  i talked to a local vw "mechanic" today and i don't know how we got on that
> subject, but anyways: he says he routinely disconnects the thermostat in bus
> engines (remember, that accordeon-looking thingie under the right lower
> engine tin with the wire connection to the cooling air flaps in type IV's).
> his reason was that if it ever fails (i.e., gets stuck in the "cold"
> position) the engine fries. according to him, no damage is done if the flaps
> are always in the open position (i.e., thermostat disconnected). is that
> generally true or is it just because we have that REALLY mild climate here
> on the oregon coast? any opinions out there ?

  I've got one. Your local VW "mechanic" is an idiot.

  First of all, when anything fails in the thermostat hardware, it fails
  so that the flaps open. The thermostat PULLS them closed against a spring.

  The last thing your poor cylinder heads need is to be subject to the 
  stresses introduced by continuous heating and cooling. The thermostat
  helps them stay at as constant a temperature as possible. Leaving the 
  flaps open doesn't prevent overheating - when the engine is warm and
  working, the flaps open up allowing, you guessed it, the same amount
  of cooling air as if there was no thermostat. 

  Dave