Urgent Help! (hello by the way)

[Ninja]

Hi there! I'm new to these forums! 

Now, I have a MK2 GTI (my pride and joy) and today, for now apparent reason she has decided to spring a leak. I've determined the leak is coming from the top of the radiator from the braided pipe, which I think is called an overflow hose? My question is, is the problem the rad or the pipe? The leak is coming right from the join between the pipe and the rad.

EDIT - its an 8v digi.

[l333]

could be either best thing to do is take it off and have a look if there is no crackes in the rad side then check the pipe for splits as best u can. if it all looks ok clean and reclip it. if u find a prob then fix acordingly

[Ninja]

Cheers for the reply. Now, where can I buy these braided overflow hoses... Can not find them on the web!  :embarassed:

[tony_ack]

Think I've got the same problem. There's a bit of spare length in the pipe, so I'm considering lopping off about a cm or so off the end and re-attaching the newly cut end with a new clip. I know I should be replacing the whole pipe, but as you mentioned, they may be quite hard to find.

A crack on the rad side is more than possible but less likely.

[Ninja]

Think I've got the same problem. There's a bit of spare length in the pipe, so I'm considering lopping off about a cm or so off the end and re-attaching the newly cut end with a new clip. I know I should be replacing the whole pipe, but as you mentioned, they may be quite hard to find.

A crack on the rad side is more than possible but less likely.

Had a look at mine before, and the clip is basically a mish mash of brown rust. Nice. Maybe cutting the pipe and re attaching would do the trick, but where to find a clip. Damn it. :-(



I may even go to VW, but they charged me the best part of 80 last time for a splitter.Some damn chav nicked my splitter I think!!!!

[Ninja]

Also, why to things always happen all at once. First my exhaust starts blowing, then the bloody handbrake cable goes slack and now my car becomes incontinent.

[tony_ack]

Not looked at mine under the bonnet for a few days (!), but seem to remember that it's too small for a hose clip.

I'm pretty sure that VW will do a clip - they may even do the pipes. I've been pretty successful in trying to find parts at dealers, so it may be worth a go.

[Ninja]

Not looked at mine under the bonnet for a few days (!), but seem to remember that it's too small for a hose clip.

I'm pretty sure that VW will do a clip - they may even do the pipes. I've been pretty successful in trying to find parts at dealers, so it may be worth a go.

Yeah may have to. Bloody expensive though! They charged me the best part of £30 for two windows seals! 



Just out of curiosity, does yours only leak with the engine on, or just constantly?

[jezza16v]

Often you find the original clips have been replaced with jubilee clips which are no good really for small hoses because they are not properly round. They pinch the hose and you get a weep from the 'pinch'. You need to get the type of clip that is properly round with the 'oversail' on the inside. There is normally enough length in the hose to cut a bit off if it hasn't been done before. Had this on two of mine, it was the clip not the rad.
VW body parts are very expensive and now often obsolete but service parts, filters, oil sump plugs etc are very cheap. I should get used to visiting your local scrappy now you're a mk2 owner.

[Lap]

Get some fuel hose clips. You can get them from motorfactors or ubiquitous Ebay.

When I bought my car, somebody had replaced the braided hose for a 8mm fuel hose. Probably because the original replacement would have been mega expensive. Dunno if you're supposed to be using that sort of hose though but they're dirt cheap to buy!