Expansion tank woes

Post by **keytouch** » 15 Feb 2008, 18:51

Kept on having to top up the coolant everytime I went out so had a bit of a root around.
Noticed that my expansion tank is a little odd. Aside from being held on by a piece of wire, where hot coolant has obviously sprayed through a naff jubilee clip there is an almost onion skin kind of peeling of the tank. It's possibly even been fibre glassed at one point looking at one of the photo's.
I'm thinking that a new expansion tank is in order.
Does anyone know if the tanks are the same design as he one in the photo's or have they changed? Anyone a rough idea on price from VW or a part number? Are the pipe connections all the same? I've seen on some hat the pipe to the top up tank comes out of the cap though on this there is a separate outlet.
Any advice, info or comments greatly appreciated.

[IMG:800:600]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff21 ... G_1284.jpg[/img]
[IMG:800:600]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff21 ... G_1266.jpg[/img]
[IMG:800:600]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff21 ... G_1255.jpg[/img]
[IMG:600:800]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff21 ... G_1259.jpg[/img]

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 15 Feb 2008, 18:56

Check `em out on Just Kampers, there are pics of them on there, yours does look a bit knacked.

They are around the 30 quid mark. Baxter sells them as well, genuine VW (think they are similar money, JK ones MAY be genuine item as well)

Post by **keytouch** » 15 Feb 2008, 19:58

But are there different types depending on age? ie the top up tank connection point?

Post by **mal0r** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:09

I think there are a couple of different shapes, I notice your battery is next to your tank and the tank rounded. I think on later models they are more box-shaped and no battery, that's what mine's like anyway.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:27

Just had a trawl round, I think yours is the early type tank, which I believe are obsolete

Looks like there is a new type tank that supercedes it though, worth asking a VW dealer for the correct info, or someone on here who has done it ?

Post by **keytouch** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:33

or someone on here who has done it ?

Come on then folks, own up, who's done it. I really need this advice cos I can't really drive her at the moment, and I wanna enjoy driving her.

Post by **mal0r** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:37

Infact, I also need a new expansion tank as mine's got a leak, I'll ask about fittings for earlier models

Post by **mal0r** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:45

Keytouch, there's one your shape for sale here:

http://www.partsemporium.co.uk/Type%2025%20page.htm

Post by **keytouch** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:53

Either I'm completely missing it or I don't think it's quite the same

Post by **mal0r** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:55

a few items down?

http://www.partsemporium.co.uk/images/t ... n_tank.JPG

Post by **keytouch** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:00

I don't think it's the same mate, looks a bit too rounded.
Ideally hoping to get a new part direct from VW so that I know it'll last a while on me.

Post by **mal0r** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:02

No worries, I think it's just photographed from a different angle. But it might be better new anyways. Nice one having a Bilbos conversion, that's what we have.

Post by **keytouch** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:04

Thanks for your hope though.

I suspected it was a bilbo conversion for a while as people said thats what it looked like.

It was finally confirmed to me when I looked at the line of text at the bottom of the number plate saying "Bilbo Campers" or such like.

Post by **maximus** » 15 Feb 2008, 23:23

Just replace it with a round one with the proper blue top up cap OEM.

Brickwerks sell them.

Post by **keytouch** » 16 Feb 2008, 12:47

Ok well I just paid a visit to Twickenham VW. Now I'm wondering why I bothered.

As expected a direct identical replacement is now obsolete.
So I asked about the newer more rounded one shown on vagcat, part number 025121403A, however he said his was also unavailable and had been marked on the system as "Brand Inhibited", the same for the bracket part number 025121409D.

Now I'm flummoxed, he said he would ring head office on Monday to see why a VW part would be brand inhibited but that's not really helping me now.