Volkswagen Repair: Heater / Cruise Control, vw passat, plastic vacuum

Question
Bernhard,

I purchased a 1993 VW Passat VR6 GLX about 6 months ago.  It runs great, however when I first bought the car I noticed the cruise control very touchy - it didn't seem to want to stay on the speed, always dropped MPH over a few miles.  Then, this winter my heater began to not work at idle.  When I warm up my car outside in the morning the engine temp rises, but the heater blows cold air until I begin driving, and as the RPMs increase the heat begins to flow forth.  And subsequently, I can't get my cruise control to work at all - and this will cost me with my friendly state troopers, as that VR6 seems to go as fast as it wants.

I'm thinking this is a vacuum line problem, but I can't seem to find a cracked/dried hose, and can't hear a significant air leakage anywhere.  I read a previous questions about that flask shaped black plastic vacuum deal in the system - it seems to make a sea-shell kind of noise.  I can't tell if its supposed to do that, or if its faulty.  

Any help would be great.

Thanks - Pete in Colorado

Answer
focusing on one at a time:  Heater problems - I would first look at replacing the thermostat(which is probably located in the bottom rad hose to the engine - guessing here I don't have a 6 to look at but a thermostat housing is bolted to the block with 2(or 3) 10 mm bolts and the hose is connected to it.  Get another from Wal-Mart  then on the refill gotta do it right which means(again I am guessing)but this is the way it is done on the 4's,   take off the top rad hose from the rad and pour the coolant down the hose to fill the block first.  Then reconnect the rad hose to the rad.   Then the rest of the coolant is poured in the reservoir.  Run the motor with heater valves open until it reaches operating temp(then the thermostat will open and allow the coolant to circulate.  Now recheck the reservoir.  Chances are it will be lower so top it  up and that should be it.
  Cruise control...I do not know what you are referring to about the black flask thing but with the vacuum hoses...they must slide on to their connector  but not easily. But, I don't know about vw's CC, Toyota's cc is electrical.  Might not you have the same?  Then check the wire connectors and clean them.  Don't know anymore.    Another web site that might be of help as there many owners is www.vwvortex.com