culshaw 1 Posted November 8, 2017 Evening folks, I recently got a new rad elbow flange from the Greek eBay bloke and snapped my old seal trying to get the old one off in one piece (it had become solid plastic). https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Volkswagen-535121647/652579365?iid=272761703784&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D48786%26meid%3D1d92e9f982b348a98a8680041d423c6a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D112628166042&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 I ordered what I thought was a like-for-like from vw heritage but the rad elbow is still leaking when pressurised. https://www.vwheritage.com/535121687-seal-for-water-take-off-535-121-647-mk2-golf Is this a common issue? Do I need to get the proper rad seal from the Greek ebay bloke? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-VW-Radiator-Top-Flange-Seal-O-Ring-G60-VR6-Nos-535121687-/272761705577 If not what have you guys done, have you used gasket sealant? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harrier 1 Posted November 8, 2017 Better off with a new o ring, seal Vw heritage worh a try Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graphite 0 Posted November 8, 2017 It’s definitely not the rad that has cracked? I’ve seen it before where it looks like the elbow has failed but the plastic part of the radiator it seats into has micro fractures in it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robrado974 1 Posted November 9, 2017 I replaced mine without sealant and it leaks too . Only a tiny bit , but it still needs sorting. I got the elbow and O ring from Heritage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rado87 10 Posted November 9, 2017 This seems to be a common issue. I had the same thing and did use a sealant bought from Halfords and it did do the trick. When my rad failed at the bottom though I replaced it for an all aluminium one with the elbow welded in place. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robrado974 1 Posted November 9, 2017 This seems to be a common issue. I had the same thing and did use a sealant bought from Halfords and it did do the trick. When my rad failed at the bottom though I replaced it for an all aluminium one with the elbow welded in place. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Obviously I didn’t over tighten it because of the plastic captive nuts in the rad , but when I removed it to put some sealant in , I found I had indeed still broken the thread . New rad for me then Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rado87 10 Posted November 9, 2017 Nightmare! Bad design definitely! I recommend getting an aftermarket one with the elbow integral unless you like to keep it OEM?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robrado974 1 Posted November 9, 2017 I may well do . Do you have a link for it ?. It’s the same design in the spoiler fitting isn’t it , metal thread going into plastic. School boy error Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fendervg 33 Posted November 9, 2017 It should definitely seal with just the gasket and correct torque, but a bit of sealant does no harm. The real problem is that when a car overheats the plastic can warp and distort, hence it will only mate properly when bother the elbow piece and the radiator are new. It doesn't make sense as a design. Does anyone have any links for the aluminium rads with integral elbow? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
culshaw 1 Posted November 9, 2017 Better off with a new o ring, seal Vw heritage worh a try Unfortunately this was the o-ring from vwheritage It’s definitely not the rad that has cracked? I’ve seen it before where it looks like the elbow has failed but the plastic part of the radiator it seats into has micro fractures in it. Hmm i'll take a look, but I don't think so. It should definitely seal with just the gasket and correct torque, but a bit of sealant does no harm. The real problem is that when a car overheats the plastic can warp and distort, hence it will only mate properly when bother the elbow piece and the radiator are new. It doesn't make sense as a design. Does anyone have any links for the aluminium rads with integral elbow? I was looking at new rads but I was really hesitant after reading they don't last as long as the HELLA ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon_vr6 1 Posted November 9, 2017 I got a new elbow and gasket from vw heritage when mine cracked worked a treat torqued up to 10nm no leaks. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fendervg 33 Posted November 9, 2017 I got a new Hella one from Advanced Radiators, adrad.co,uk, part# VW328 a while back and haven't had any issues. Cost was about £100. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bowen 1 Posted November 9, 2017 I just use an O-ring from one of those big boxes you buy, about 300 o-rings for under £10. I do put a bit of the blue sealant on as well, but only on the flat areas of the elbow flange (i have the gruvenparts elbow, so can't remember how the plastic one looks from underneath). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon_vr6 1 Posted November 9, 2017 On the reviews for the Greek elbow someone has said that it's a topran elbow not a vw one. Check if your elbow has a vw part on it Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
culshaw 1 Posted November 9, 2017 On the reviews for the Greek elbow someone has said that it's a topran elbow not a vw one. Check if your elbow has a vw part on it Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Yeah definitely has a VW number, I'd have sent it straight back if it wasn't :) I think I need to double check for micro fractures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon_vr6 1 Posted November 9, 2017 Yeah definitely has a VW number, I'd have sent it straight back if it wasn't :) I think I need to double check for micro fractures Yeah definitely. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
culshaw 1 Posted December 19, 2017 Checked it, no fractures, I think i'm going to need a new rad. Merry Christmas :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
