To be honest, after 40k miles if summat was going to go wrong it would have by now! The motor is still as good as it was in 2011, starts and runs well
Unless he starts the bus and just drives long distances he has all the problem I mentioned up there^ he just doesn’t know it – like many others – but of course, the engine won’t fall apart without a thermostat but it’ll be happier with one. If they’re not necessary why do VW and every engine manufacturer fit thermostats?
I’m no expert so I always listen to people with more knowledge than I , I did read somewhere that in our climate a thermostat wasn’t so important and my friend has run his bus for over a decade and hasn’t had any problems Bazza
Then why does every engine manufacturer fit a thermostat to all engines regardless of climate? It’s up to you, as I said the engine won’t fall apart without a thermostat.
It's a very easy job to fit the stat ...so worth it big time ...it will wear the engine out quicker without one, fact . But i suppose if you are just running them in summer not so bad . Bigger job if all the flaps and bar are not there . But if you can do it yourself it seems pointless not to
Some cases of thermostats failing can be fixed by resoldering them where the solder has cracked, then refilling them with isopropyl alcohol and resoldering the top. Also some kinds of pinhole damage can be soldered up. Theres a section on ratwell.com.
