The quality of the aftermarket tanks is so poor that's what prompted RMW to build their Cadillac version. Get two: http://www.rockymountainwesty.com/Coolant_Expansion_Tank_025_121_403B_p/025121403b.htm  Or for $100 more get the Cadillac and forget about it.  Sell those OEM tanks for $25 each. 

It's not about the mold, it's about the quality of the plastic base material, and so many of these aftermarket parts use a poor grade of recycled plastic.  It gets brittle really fast, and cracks.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Neil N
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2015 9:17 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Found solution? Re: 2.1 WBX Coolant Loss: Searched

Thanks Larry.
I'll inspect further.
Feeling a little sheepish given the somewhat obvious clue. (coolant)
I'd seen coolant there before but that was during the initial filling process
so I assumed it was due to spilled coolant.

If the crack is bad, I'll be curious to see what vendors have for new tanks.
The then new tank I installed in my Jetta swap didn't last long.

Neil.

On 4/30/15, Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sure looks like residue around there.  Have you pressed hard on it to watch
> for it to open up or leak a little, maybe when it is hot and pressurized?
>   You should also be suspicious of the seal (O-ring?) around the level
> sensor.  If you pull the sensor out you can also see whether the "crack"
> extends into the threaded area.
>
> Larry A.

--
Neil n

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