Coolant elbow question

[1_eyed_jim]

Removed the following elbow from the van to today as I suspected it was leaking due to coolant stains below it.



Cleaned every thing up and started looking for a new seal. VW heritage are telling me it's this



Surely not?? Mine is the plastic version of the elbow and has a O-Ring recessed into the elbow where it meets the engine block but I cannot find a replacement for this. Surely a flat gasket and 2 flat faces won't make a good seal??

[123-jn]

my plastic elbow had a tiny hairline crack in it which I did not notice until it leaked again on refitting so I welded up a metal one out of some old tube!!! then used that gasket instead of the O ring. All good motor factors should be able to sell you a matching o ring.