[Vwdiesel] normal idle overheating?

[Will Taygan]

It seems my 94 FrankenJetta (gas to 1.6TD) and a new (but slightly
mangled) head is driving okay.  My gauge seems low, but I'm assuming
it's because it's a gas gauge.

1. It runs cold (175? - 1st tick) most of the time.  Thermostat closed,
radiator cold.

2. When going up hills it will get up to the 2nd tick, and the
thermostat (set at 187?) will open.  I know because the radiator gets
hot - things cool down to 1st tick again.

3. When idling it will get up to the middle tick, and the fan will turn
on (set at 195?).

Using an infrared, my readings reading are 5-10 degrees hotter at the
head than the settings of the thermostat and thermoswitch.

It used to always run cold, and the fan would never come on.

It seems that lots of other folks have the "get hot at idle" thing going
on.  Is this normal, or is it a sign of things wearing out?

Thanks,

Will.