Yesterday I completed two projects that have been nagging to be done since last fall.  Replaced the "O" Ring on the oil cooler, and replaced the primary coolant tank.  

Getting the oil cooler off looks easy, but what a bear.  The space to work in is tiny and the two rubber coolant hose that go to the cooler are: held on by inaccessible spring clips and are short, stiff immovable rubber. With the *aluminum* oil cooler in hand I saw something interesting- the connection tubes for the coolant hoses were corroded beneath the hoses; small spots eaten away.  I am positive that this same oil-to-water cooler is used in my Jetta.  It would be interesting to know if the fwd cars eat the aluminum also.

Replacing the coolant tank was pretty easy, but like many others I had replaced everything else first with no success.  I have a new cap, coolant level sensor, 3 "O" Rings, still the hot soak bubble over.  Tank removed- I finally saw the hairline cracks in the plastic!  The listees that had mentioned this earlier where dead on.

Fifty mile test drive last nite.  No Leaks!  Sometimes life is good.

Gary

'88 GL 96K
'92 Jetta GLi 92K

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