[Vwdiesel] ideal thermostat temp for 1.6 TD

[H . Hagar.]

So, i've learned to hate German engineers for hiding the thermostat on the otherwise
wonderfully designed 1.6 (TD) engine.....  I have a question for the collective knowledge
& experience here:   What is the ideal thermostat temp for this engine?   What I removed
when investigating was a VW/Audi issue 87C deg thermostat (approx 195 deg F).   I've
gotten conflicting info from parts sources whether the 87C or a slightly cooler (75C/180F)
is the correct one for my engine.   The original problem was the appearance (by gauge) of
running hot & a large enough temp increase with the AC to question the integrity of the
cooling system.   For mostly rather warm-weathered southern US driving, what would be the
thermostat to use?

relatedly;  what is the cleanest/simplest/preferred coolant refill method ?

thanks
-chris g

NO such a thing----say Hagar   whatever you do keep your head COOL. ----in the south ?
IMHO   you do not need a Canuck thermostat ----that is used mainly to get a hole in the
frost on the windshield.  So ? SO? yes install the COOLEST one you can get your fingers
on. ----anyhow from hottest to COOLEST is not much of a difference.

Your COOLING system is where the problem is if your Rabbit starts sweating.....-----you
know the cooling fan kicks  in  ?     ---- Thermostat has JACK all to do with
overheating ----normally-.      if it fails to open - ? YES.

I drive a 1.6 L 1984  Turbo every day ----so I speak from first hand experience ---not
THEORY.

Now Val Christian is one of the better ones here on cooling the HEAD --or keeping your
HEAD COOL.

BUT both  Roger Brown " Charlie Brown " known as , in Hagars lair------have done
experiments with the speed of the cooling pumps. ------A faster turning pump is a great
benefit at very low speeds------like in a Ferry Lineup.

WHY ?   ----steam traps ---in dead zones of cooling flow.  ----1.5 L and 1.6 L   VW
diesels  are IMHO---the absolute masterpieces of Diesel Engineering -----BUT like a STRAD
?  very delicate -----you want to make MUSIC ?  ----you must learn how to play
.   -----If you ever becomes as GOOD as Hagar ?   ---then you will understand.--------Yes
hours and  hours in Archives  did it for me.------And start with LOREN.

Burping the system ?  ----yes it can be a PITA  operation at first ----but THEN ? a piece
of APPLE Pie.

Delicate little buggers EH ?  --JA ---except when it comes to Rpm's   boy oh boy can they
handle lots of REVS ?  ...----HOW DO I HAGAR KNOW ?    first hand my friends ---a run
away.

NOTE :      NEVER NEVER trust the VW temp gauge----use a secondary. To double check.

Hagar :

PS : just back from a real COOL drive in BUNNY BONDO-----nice girl she is.        and
better than 50 miles to a gallon  ----not BAD for a 20 year old LADY ? ---JA ?.
Normal wisdom has it that you should run a Diesel HOT ----Right I agree ---but NOT if is a
Rabbit 1980 to 1984. ----READ MY LIPS.

Add 1977 Rabbits -----Val Christian knows about those ---I only have experience with the
engines here in front . ---Yes used for testing things.