Bees 0 Posted April 30, 2006 Have had a quick search and found some info that was very useful but just need some clarification. Couple of weeks ago i notced a small amount of spray on my under my bonet that looked like it came from the right hand side of the radiator - all was well - fluid levels fine etc. Yesterday a small amount of steam was comming from my bonet front. I pulled over to investigate and it appeard something had splashed my battery (not loads of liquid) and also the top right hand corner of my bonnet - same area that looked sprayed last time. There appeared to be small amounts of water/steam comming from the top part of the radiator but there are no holes in my pipes or anything (Samco hoses) it looks like there could be some gasket or something on the top part of radiator that attaches to the pipe that may need replacing. My clean engine bay now has white spray on it (no jokes please :lol: ) Here is a picture of the place the steam was comming from just where the black plastic pipe meets the radiator Can I buy a new gasket to replace it if there is one there??? and is it a hard job to do? Many thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted May 1, 2006 Did you change the plastic elbow when fitting the Samco's? - If not you really need to and also do the other 2 plastic outlets on the head and the thermostat housing... the go very brittle and also warp with age/heat. The Elbow is easy to change as long as the bolts come out ok (I had to drill one out the other weekend after it snapped) - get the elbow, O ring and 2 new bolts. You should be able to change it with only loosing a minimal amount of coolant. I'd also think about using Jubilee clips on Samco's (I'd always recomend the factory ones for rubber hoses but I've seen Samco's pop off with these) - just be careful not to overtighten onto the plastic parts (the only drawback) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan 24v 0 Posted May 1, 2006 Ive got the same problem too, be careful when undoing the bolts as they can knacker the rad itself :shock: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bees 0 Posted May 1, 2006 The Samco s have been on the car for a few years and not fitted by myself. But as long as I know the plastic elbow is easy enough to change then I shall get a new one with O ring ,a couple of new bolts and possibly new Jubilee clip for the hose. I take it from reply that it is possible to do without loosing too much coolant? (ill get the coolant on the list too just in case) Where would be the best place for the parts? Main stealer only? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted May 1, 2006 Dealer or GSF... just top up with water as you won't loose much at all... you will need someone to hold the hose up and out the way whilst you swap the elbow... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 1, 2006 Had this prob on my first VR. It happened after I had done a coolant change (needed to wiggle the top hose to get it off- ooo-er!). The Stealer and local specialist told me that the elbow wasn't available seperately, and I had to change the whole radiator (which comes with the elbow attached) :mad: Wish I'd have known! Steve, do you have the part number for the elbow? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bees 0 Posted May 1, 2006 Did find a post that someone had - put up some part numbers which i thought could have been these ones but i cannot for the life of me find it at the mo!!! I hava ETKA too but bot too hot at the searching it as yet! - as was gonna search the part numbers (if it is possible with it??.....) But yer i would also like part numbers if possible (have tried getting myself from ETKA but no joy........) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted May 1, 2006 535 121 647 - £7.49 retail inc VAT (same page as rads on ETKA and same part for G60 and VR6) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bees 0 Posted May 1, 2006 Thanks alot thats great and I have just found it on ETKA too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 3, 2006 Thanks Steve! £7.49- makes me wanna cry! Radiator was well over £200 fitted! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bees 0 Posted May 5, 2006 Supercharged - Thanks alot for your help and from others- bought all of the parts and changed it fine - thought it was OK until i again put my foot down a bit and checked after to find some water spray on my battery again.... Then let it cool took it for a run again and pulled over and lifted bonet and could see small amounts of steam around the back/top of the radiator when the bonnet was open so reved it a bit let it get warm again and then noticed a dripping of coolant on the floor...... :( One of the top bars that runs through the radiator appears to have a hole and a very fine water jet was spitting out on to bonet opener catch and dripping down on to the floor - it was making a hissing sound and lots of fine mist spray too. I guessing this means i need a new radiator? :cry: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VRTrickster 0 Posted May 6, 2006 This is exactly what happened to mine,little water jet spraying through the grill! Just ordered a replacement rad from ECP for £132.00 delivered. Im going to be replacing the thermostat with a lower temp Neuspeed one. Also a lower temp fan switch witha G12 refill . http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/vw%20golfmk3/engine.html Im also fitted one of those Newsouth perfomance inlet gaskets with my ported mani! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bees 0 Posted May 7, 2006 Yep gonna get a new radiator and prob get one of those Neuspeed thermostat - ill call the stealers and ask how much for radiator - if not get one from ECP - cheers - just got to get the thing fitted then! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites