new engine running hotter than old engine

hello all does anyone know why my new recon engine (1.6ew) that I have fitted from (tes engines) is running just over half way on the temp gauge when driving around, when my old engine never went over half way, if anything it used to be just under half way on the gauge?
also why is the breather pipe from the rocker cover to the airfilter box getting full of nasty gunk?

Did the thermostat, sender and rad get replaced at the same time?
"Gunk" doesn't really help as thats a product that comes in an orange tin.
Is it losing water?

hi yomp yes new waterpump, thermostat, it had a recently new radiator, what I mean by gunk is cream colour sludge with water residue have you seen this fault before? and its not losing any coolant.

If its not losing water then i would say the white stuff is condensation. Does it only do short journeys?
Drop in the old thermostat and see if the temp guage goes back to its old position.

If the timing is out it will run hotter, but as you said its just above half way, I'd just start to worry about it when it goes in the red, that's where the danger area is.

hi yomp and mark1 thanks for the replys, yomp the car does only do short journeys I will start taking it for more off a run and see how it goes

http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14913

hi jonny thanks for the link page,what do you think the cream sludge with water residue is in my rocker cover and breather pipe,do you think it could be the headgasket on the new engine?

they will have a bit of mayo in rocker and breather system, if its on the dipstick though then you should be worried. if the engien is running too cold (maybe gauge is over-reading) this will increase the buildup of mayo as the oil isnt getting hot enough to burn off all the condensation. lots of short runs will also increase condensation buildup

hi jonny thanks for the great advice and info
cheers luke