mk2 Radiator hose kits?

[Malleabis]

Hi all. I'm refreshing my 1986 Jetta GTD and would like to replace all the coolant hoses.

Parts place inc has a full kit for $133, but my experience with them is that they're usually more expensive than other places, but I've been unable to find a complete kit at other websites like autohausaz and rockauto.

Any recommendations on where to get all hoses for a good price?

I'm also thinking I should replace the "coolant flange" and o-ring coming off the head, as I see a little wet spot there some times. Anything else I should replace at the same time? Water pump and t-stat were replaced already. Thanks.

[theman53]

I don't know of any "kits" other than make your own. That being said in the USA we didn't have the GTD cars so our parts stores won't have the hoses if they incorporate water cooled turbo into the mix, the rest of the hoses should be the same. If your flange is plastic then replace if it is a cast aluminum one then just get a new o ring

[Malleabis]

Thanks for that info on the aluminium flange, mine is aluminium.

I wonder if my GTD came from Canada? I'm in Louisiana, where the car is currently registered, but it has Tacoma Washington stickers on it.

I guess I should make a new thread about identifying GTD's. It has GTD logos and a foho spoiler. Does this mean I have GTD injectors (which I read are better?)

[air-cooled or diesel]

I found coolant hoses for my mk2 at napa, real german hose(the 1 I got), $8 for that 1 hose. they have pretty good pics of the part your getting too. the top hose from the radiator to the head and reservoir tank is the expensive one. the others take some tugging and pulling and stuff. its not too hard but you learn as you go. new hose clamps, correct O-rings (2) at head. oil cooler water hoses. a couple of bolts and washers (all are 6mmx1mm I think) & anti-seize. I get a socket and snug the clamps good. a flush and then run water thru it once(don't let it freeze, drain before it freezes).
if you ran vw blue coolant in it, then you definitely need to flush system good to change to vw red coolant.
if you do flush drive at full heat for a good few miles, then do the same on straight water, don't go too far from home, and carry some water with you. drain warm.

[damac]

I definately don't do the chinese hose thing anymore after having one burst and comparing the way they are made.

All I can say is if you are trying to save $$$ price things out between germanautoparts, autohausaz, and I like to check ebay with part numbers because sometimes somebody is getting rid of a stash or there is a cheaper seller.

I never found a kit but I was surprised at the cost.  I'm pretty sure it was all less than $150 shipped.

[Malleabis]

Is parts place inc usually german parts? I'll check out NAPA. The oil cooler hoses seem to be the hard ones to find at most places.

[air-cooled or diesel]

take a good look at hoses, theres something like 6 + the main upper radiator hose, and td I don't know I figure you have +2 for oil cooler. look at napa pictures to make sure their close to what you want. I don't think their in a kit, but they do have individual hoses, maybe all, I ordered and the next day I had a new hose, german like I said.

[damac]

parts place inc, i'm pretty sure was not the best deal when i parted my 3 cars together in just the last couple years, or i would have shopped there   no clue about brand.

they sell them at the places i mentioned so not sure what you mean by hard to find?

for whatever reason i rarely find the best deal for genuine parts at my local kragen, napa, etc.  i especially stay away from the ford dealer.

i rarely end up going to napa as well, they always seem to cost more.

i just did a coparison for example for the pump/head to cooler hose and napa wants $36+ tax for it, $10 cheaper at autohouz, no tax and you get free shipping over $50

i think you aren't armed with the part numbers so their sites are not showing you all the hoses maybe?

068121053P is that 3 way bigger hose that goes to oil cooler, and little one from cooler to pipe 027121058

[Malleabis]

thanks for part numbers! yeah you're right, I don't have them.

[Dakotakid]

Parts place....German parts?.....that's funny!

[bajacalal]

Parts Place is kind of a crapshoot. If they tell you the part is brand X, made in country Y, expect something completely different to show up in the box.

NAPA is also has to be the most loosely regulated franchise in the country. The parent company exercises very little control over the individually owned stores so the prices are wildly different. I have much better luck with the one 20 miles away than the local one.

I get this sort of stuff from http://www.gowestyautoparts.com

[Malleabis]

Gowesty looks awesome, never used them before, thanks.

Another question. My GTD has no A/C (was possibly removed? but I have no a/c controls on dash either) but my upper radiator hose is the expensive one with the expansion tank hose molded into it.

That hose cost almost as much as a new radiator. Can I just buy a non-A/C radiator? I assume the non-A/C radiator has a male fitting for the small expansion tank hose?

[vanbcguy]

The small expansion tank hose connects to the flange on the head on the "cheap hose" version, so you'll need to change that out. No need to change the radiator. Those flanges are only a few dollars.

[Malleabis]

Thanks vanbcguy! That saves me a headache.

[bajacalal]

Gowesty looks awesome, never used them before, thanks.

Another question. My GTD has no A/C (was possibly removed? but I have no a/c controls on dash either) but my upper radiator hose is the expensive one with the expansion tank hose molded into it.

That hose cost almost as much as a new radiator. Can I just buy a non-A/C radiator? I assume the non-A/C radiator has a male fitting for the small expansion tank hose?

They seem to take a minimalist approach on customer service but I haven't had any problems with them so far... a word of warning though, some of the brands recognized as "German" are shipping made-in-China parts now but I think that's the case everywhere, after all Ford and Chevy are sourcing parts made in China too.

The non-a/c radiator also has the water inlet neck that comes straight out of the radiator, instead of at an angle, so there may be clearance issues, I don't know what the genuine GTDs had that might be in the way, and it's also a smaller radiator so the a/c type should cool better. If you know anyone who works at like a repair shop and has an IMC account that is the cheapest way to get the expensive upper radiator hose, they sell it for something like $35, iirc, but do not sell to the general public. And besides, how can you stand to live in the south with no a/c?