PLEASE HELP - COOLANT ISSUES

Just had head gasket done on my mk2 golf and in the process I had water pump and timing belt kit fitted too but he was unable to fit the thermostat due to me buying the wrong one..would this be why my temp gauge is still not rising and why I'm getting only cold air through the vents?
It was like this before I had the gasket done too
Thanks

 

That is very likely . Also if your heater matrix flaps have shed their foam covering .

 

I've just ordered a thermostat housing and a matrix as want to delete the bypass valves.
What's the best thing to use to sort the flaps out?

 

I've used 2mm thick foam sheet and glued it on, or thin carpet like what you see on the panels of campervans, some people just use Duct tape .

 

Thanks. Wasn't sure if it needed to be specific stuff or heat resistant

 

Pootz, what did you use to cover your heater blender flaps, and did you re-fit the bypass valve? I'm about to replace the heater matrix on my 91 Golf as it finally went up in steam. The foam cladding on the flaps had been coming off for some time. I wonder if I should use the existing bypass valve again or just rule it out altogether. Can anyone come up with some updated suggestions please?

 

If you have a new matrix, suitable for mk2 or mk3, throw away the bypass valves.