[Vwdiesel] Thermostat for 1982 NA diesel

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/17/2011 9:10:02 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
ktzkarz at embarqmail.com writes:

> I think my thermostat is stuck in the closed position as I run out of 
> coolant in the expansion tank after about 6-7 miles of driving.
> 
> 

  Sounds more like a leak in the system (head gasket?) than a stat.  
Unless the system's not properly filled, the stat opens, coolant level 
drops, still is low, heats up, boils off and cycle repeats.  
  They like the hotter the better. I ran the ninty something stat for 
a while but if the coolant gets a little low, anti freeze ratio is off, 
etc, it's just too easy to blow the head gasket so I dropped back to 
the lower 180-ish one for that reason.  Doesn't feel as happy but
I am.
  Try filling it up through the top hose, into the engine, then start it 
up, cap off, and at a fast idle run it up to operating temp.  Feel the 
rad hoses to be sure things start circulating.  If they don't after 5  
minutes.  Shut off, wait a few minutes for coolant to work its way 
around, and try again.  If that doesn't do it, cap and drive a few 
hundred yards and slowly remove cap and repeat.
  If coolant starts blooping or blowing out, or you see very little 
coolant (mostly bubbles or air) coming out the small, return line, 
you have a blown head gasket.
    Loren