1997 Passat B4 Temperature question

Last year The exhaust manifold was cleaned, and what a difference it made. To ensure that it never plugged again, I have disconnected the vacuum line and plugged the hose. Every now and then I get a check engine light but it usually goes out after a few minutes.

Today in Vancouver it is down to 37 degrees and I notice after a long drive the temperature gauge sits at around 68 degrees ( Celcius on the Canadian Passats) or about 154 degrees Fahrenheit.

MY Question
- Will the disconnected egr cause the engine to operate at that temperature
- Is it the thermostat that is stuck open or needs replacement

My thoughts are thermostat but thought I would check with a few experts before replacing

Thanks

The EGR would not cause that. Odds are good it's your thermostat.

T-stat.

Pain in the butt to replace on AHU / 1Z. Order both parts of the t-stat housing/elbow and o-ring to be on the safe side - dunno if they are even available any more?

temp

Yes it was the thermostat. Everything now at 87degrees celcius. Lots of heat

Thanks

I put a 95°C thermostat in my previous wagon many years ago, which is still going strong at 372K miles. It runs hotter but there is no difference otherwise.

Hotter is better. Oops forgot, we're talking about cars.