Coolant hose connector thing

[gybjw]

Had to top up my cololant recently but there were no obvious signs of leakage. Then I noticed that there was coolant reisidue all over the bit that connects the big hose from the top of the radiator and the one from the oil pump to the block. Anyone know the part no and how easy it is to change. Looks simple enough but you never know!

[gybjw]

See pic..........

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c196/gybjw/P1010062.jpg

[rubjonny]

replied to your post in the ETKA part #s section

[NewStu]

Thatl be the flange! 

I belive you need to take the inlet manifold off to get to all 3 bolts. Just make sure you have a good quality allen key set and that there on fully or you will get stripped nuts!

Its terrible when you get stripped nuts because of a dirty pink flange!

[NewStu]

This pic may also help you out a little. Basicly you gotta remove the inlet manifold to get to the flange. The inlet is held by about 6 bolts on the front and 3 bolts at the rear on brackets. Theres other stuff like injectors and intake pipe holding it but you can probably just leave them and move the intake out of the way enought to get at the flange. Once the flange is off you may find that you just need the seal thats inside it. The flange itself is probably fine but if in doubt change it. Clean up all surfaces and use some silicone to seal it all.

[rubjonny]

always a good idea to replace the flange completly, the plastic ones warp with age.  Ask your parts guy to order the one on the side of the head too, that one is probably buggered as well!  Make sure you clean up the mounting face with fine grit sandpaper too to ensure you'll get a good seal.  Stuff some kitchen roll into the hole to grit falling in the coolant channel

[jezza16v]

Hi, I had to do this on mine. If you order the flange from a VW dealer make sure you order the rubber seal as well, it doesn't come with the flange  ! I ended up waiting nearly a week to get the separate bits.

I managed to change mine without taking the manifold off  . I used a short stub of allen key and a small open ended spanner to turn it, fiddley but no prob, as said though, make sure you block off all the exposed pipe connections or you'll drop one of the bolts down into the water pump. Give the bolts loads of penetrating oil and soak as long as poss before you start...

[gybjw]

Cheers guys. Got the flange from GSF this morning, (does come with a seal from GSF). Don't know if I have allen keys though and I don't fancy having to take off the inlet manifold. Will have a look this afternoon. Spoke to the very good local vw specialist and he said if I'm having trouble he'll fit me in tomorrow - result as I need to drive from Sheffield to Birmingham to Heathrow on wednesday night and I don't fancy risking it.

[NewStu]

I wouldent recoment using normal allen keys really. Idealy you need a socket set with allen key attachemts, that way you can use the extension bars to get at the bolts and also have much more leverage as these bolts will be on tight.