A2 Cooling System Plastic Components

lfield

Member
It is well known that the plastic components in the A2 cooling system become brittle with age. Over the past 18 months I have had a few coolant leaks due to failing plastic parts.
  • Threads on the expansion tank cap
  • Y piece connectors
  • Connections on the thermostat housing
When changing the thermostat housing, I also decided to change the pipe of death. This turned out to be a good decision as when removing it, the end shoulder disintegrated and the rubber seal was degraded. It was not an easy job so I would probably recommend replacing it at the same time the timing belt is done as access will be improved when the water pump is removed. The other recommendation for preventative maintenance is to replace all the plastic components when the first fails as they will all be aging at the same rate.
 
Have you got any part numbers please, and where to order from.

I'm thinking of doing my 'pipe of death', when I brave taking off the inlet manifold.
Any tips, pictures or videos out there.

Tia
 
I have recently found this site really good for finding part numbers. I ended up buying this part from autodoc. It is a good idea to change the pipe of death when you remove the inlet maifold as the job will be a lot easier. Good luck!
 
Should I be concerned that the 2 lower bolts for the upper manifold are missing?
I'm currently in the middle of removing it, do I also have to remove the engine mount to tilt the engine forward?
 
while this is active so to speak is the thermostat on the left hand side of the engine when your looking at it or is it round the back as there seems to be different views on it
 
Looking at the engine it is on the right hand end.


And the thermostat itself. Known as the coolant regulator.

 
sorry my mistake meant to say right hand side yh iv got code 17701 coming up and the temp gauge will just drop randomly when hot and then rise back up again don't suppose any one knows the oem part number do they
 
sorry my mistake meant to say right hand side yh iv got code 17701 coming up and the temp gauge will just drop randomly when hot and then rise back up again don't suppose any one knows the oem part number do they
Hi,

Some more information in a post I wrote last Autumn on the thermostat here. Be very careful not to break the thermostat housing, if original it will be very brittle and fracture when you look at it!

Andy
 
Should I be concerned that the 2 lower bolts for the upper manifold are missing?
I'm currently in the middle of removing it, do I also have to remove the engine mount to tilt the engine forward?
The manifold bracket or upper manifold itself? If the later I would not be concern but would definitely replace them. I myself found a lower bolt from the manifold bracket missing and the car had only ever been worked on by the dealership. Yes, you will have to remove the engine mount.
 
The upper manifold part itself, the 6 top bolts were removed and I can nearly wiggle it free.
Job for another day to undo engine mount and wedge the block forward a bit ...
 
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