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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: jaed_43725 on September 04, 2013, 05:12:25 pm

Title: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: jaed_43725 on September 04, 2013, 05:12:25 pm

Is there a metal reservoir for the older style that someone makes? If not is there a swap to put on the ball style one, but nothing I have to do welding or such with? And lastly if the other 2 are a failure, what is the best plastic tank? I ask because my res decided to split on me. Thanks.

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: Gizmoman on September 04, 2013, 05:20:05 pm

Most local auto part places have crappy generic ones for around ten becks to get you by. Yo can even make something from a plastic jug if youre fairly handy - thy don't take any pressure - that is if your talking about the overflow tank.

Then you'll have time to do a craigslist search or someone who carries the stock one (if its still available).

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: burn_your_money on September 04, 2013, 05:57:45 pm

On a 85 the coolant tank definitely is pressurized. Why don't you just get a new one?

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: theman53 on September 04, 2013, 06:02:26 pm

171121407F

1H0121407A 

Both of those are plastic and good IMHO for the MK2 style

171121407E 

Same as the one but no coolant sensor. All have worked for me.

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: jaed_43725 on September 04, 2013, 06:23:31 pm

I am going to get a new one. I just don't want that junk stock style, unless its the ball. So does anyone know if there is a ball style that will fit on somehow? Or best yet a metal one?

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: RabbitJockey on September 04, 2013, 06:28:14 pm

get oem, the generic ones are *** and dont last very long.

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: bajacalal on September 04, 2013, 07:58:52 pm

I've run used good ones from junkyards with no problems.

My friend, on the other hand, has tried making pressurized coolant bottles out of aluminum and they don't last very long, they crack at the seams, and he is a certified welder. I think that metal fatigues and breaks after so many "cycles" of heating, expansion and cooling. I guess it makes sense when you consider that even low pressure gas cylinders are made out of like 1/4" steel.

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: CRSMP5 on September 04, 2013, 10:39:29 pm

imo the older ones work better then ball...

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: fatmobile on September 04, 2013, 11:25:02 pm

 If it's an old Jetta like the one in his sig it probably doesn't have the ball.
 Probably doesn't know they are available new, and cheap,.. $12.

  I'm happy with how thick the ones from autohausaz are.

Title: Re: Best coolant reservoir or swap?
Post by: damac on September 05, 2013, 01:45:25 am

I have bought whatever http://www.autohausaz.com offers for the past 5 years.  Every chasis I have come across I blindly bought a new reservoir with coolant hoses, just like the one that comes on 85 jetta(not a ball), and I haven't had one problem yet?