Help with leak.

[autostick73]

Hey guys and gals,
I need some help with where this coolant leak is coming from. It looks like the thermostat housing or the coolant sensor for the gauge. I replaced the sensor and the oring but I am still getting a leak. Is it possible that the housing is cracked. I am attaching a picture. Any and all help would be great.

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73 VW Beetle Autostick

[powderedwaters]

Definitely a tough spot to track a leak down in. Dry it off the best you can and try sticking a small mirror under the bulkhead to get a better view. I would imagine anything is possible with these vans including a cracked housing. I would guess hose leak or mis-seated o-ring first though.
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89 VanagonGL Hannover Edition 2.1 AT

[Bruskyvw]

I had this problem the leak came from the sensor and all I had to do was change the o-ring
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Current VWs: 2001 2.0 New Beetle 250k
1974 Super Beetle
Past vws: 1977 Champagne Edition I Bus (Cedar)1991 Capri Green Wolfsburg Jetta 1978 Sage Green(Taiga) Transporter 2.0 FI (Paddy) 1980 Inca Brown Rabbit Diesel LS 1969 Karmann (funky weird blue that wasn't original) Ghia Autostick 1991 Bordeaux Red Vanagon GL 1992 Tornado Red GTI 8V

[autostick73]

Well when I did the sensor replacement it came with a new oring. I replaced it and still have the leak.
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73 VW Beetle Autostick

[floggingmolly]

Hard to tell where your leak is from that photo. If you can describe it better, that might help. I found a leak on the dirver's side right in front of the main coolant tank. On my 1.9, there is a small hose that is less than 3" long and very hard to see. My clamp had broken and thus the hose leaked at the connection. It was a very short hose section and could not blow off since it was sandwiched between 2 connections, but still leaked. Put on a new clamp and it was fixed.
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'85 Wolfsburg Weekender

[tencentlife]

I have had one of those composite thermostat housings develop a microscopic crack, in a different location than yours might be but the possibility is there with that material. Get the engine warmed up so there is pressure and the fluid viscosity is lowered, and clean that area off dry, then watch closely to see if any moisture starts showing on the surface (the engine doesn't have to stay running, the pressure stored in the system will force the fluid out). Doing this carefully allows you to absolutely pinpoint the location, but it takes patience.
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