Volkswagen: thermostat, temperature guage, polo 1

Question
I have a polo 1.6 97,
I have replaced the thermostat once already, then within the space of 5 miles, the temperature guage on the dashboard quickly rose to over 110 degrees, upon inspection of the thermostat a while later it had damaged badly  the part that the thermostat pin goes into rendering it useless,
my questions are,

does the thermostat on this model (polo 97 1.6cl) have to be installed in a certain manor?

does the car need a thermostat in it?
what purpose does it hold?

thanks

Answer
Hi,

Yes the car does need the thermostat.  The job of the thermostat is to allow full water flow to the engine once it is heated up.

Sounds like the thermostat was put on upside down,  if you are overheating and have another bad thermostat.  I'd replace it and double-check with the parts dealer on the proper direction to place it in.

Good Luck.

Ron