[Vwdiesel] Hole In Thermostat ?

[Gavrik Peterson]

I tested the thermostat on my 84' Diesel.  After years of service it
starts to open exactly at it's rated temperature of 87 deg C.  I am
impressed with how thermostats function so well and so long.

My Robert Bentley manual only gives the specs for the 80 deg C
thermostat.  From the discussion on this mail list I take it that the
87 deg C thermostat is most likely the correct one to use.  What is
going on here?  Did Volkswagen change their mind sometime after 84'?

I notice that this one does not have the bleed hole.  I take it the
only reason for this hole is to allow air to pass through when filling
the system with coolant.  Is this correct?  Should I bother to dill a
hole?

Gavrik Peterson