Volkswagen Repair: Volkswagen Thermostat, paper gaskets, expansion tank

Question
I have a 1990 Volkswagen Golf (German spec)which isn' theating up.  I'd like to change the thermostat but can't find it.  I thought it would be under the upper heater hose housing where it joins the block, but it wasn't there!  Please point me in the right direction.

Answer
Yeah.  Lower rad hose to the block. 2 10mm bolts.  Drain by removing lower rad hose first.  Will hold about a gallon.  Take off thermostat housing and pull out thermostat to get another dollop of coolant.  Watch how the thermostat is put in with the O ring.  No paper gaskets used.  Put new thermostat in the block, put a finger thru the housing from the hose end in to hold the thermostat in position(Oh , and make sure you have the O ring in place...and put bolts back on then the lower rad hose after checking the condition of that hose from the inside(rub your finger inside the hose, if it comes out black, then the hose is disintergrating and you should replace it.   Fasten the hose to the thermostat housing with clamp.  Putting in the fluid is done this way...first take off the upper rad hose from the rad, bend it upward and pour the coolant in the hose to fill the block.  This fills one side of the thermostat.  When hose is full, slip it back onto the rad and fasten.  The remainder of the fluid is now added to the expansion tank.  It has to be done this way otherwise you will have an air pocket behind the thermostat which will prevent it from ever opening and allowing coolant to circulate.