Coolant leaking, what is this part?!

[skittishsynapses]

So I took my car to be serviced, got the brake proportioning valve replaced along with the master cylinder (turns out that had gone bad), and my rear brakes. The mechanics pointed out that I was low on coolant in the reservoir, and they added some. A bit odd since I had just added coolant sunday. But the funny thing is there wasn't anything in the reservoir! I was going to take a 30 mile drive so I thought I'd check before I ran off. Good thing I did!

So while working on the car, they point out that there's a leak coming from a plastic attachment on the right hand side of the engine. I looked it up and the hose that it connects to is to the heater core. But what the hose connects to against the engine (bolts against it) is leaking. There is a teardrop rust trail (not seen in the below photos since my camera phone is terrible for these things!). They pointed out the fair amount of fluid the car had lost while they were working on it.

They said thermostat housing, but I don't think that's right since the thermostat itself is attached to the radiator. Anyone know what that part is? Thank ya! I have to take the car in Friday so I'd like it if someone took a guess!

[Briano1234]

That is the water outlet flange they go bad. Get thee to a dealer and get a new one. Or order it online.

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswag ... ling/117/1

[kamzcab86]

They said thermostat housing...

Wow. They don't know Volkswagens, do they?

...but I don't think that's right since the thermostat itself is attached to the radiator.

In a roundabout way. The t-stat resides in the thermostat housing, which is attached to the water pump; the t-stat housing is then connected to the radiator via a hose.

[Briano1234]

They said thermostat housing...

Wow. They don't know Volkswagens, do they?

...but I don't think that's right since the thermostat itself is attached to the radiator.

In a roundabout way. The t-stat resides in the thermostat housing, which is attached to the water pump; the t-stat housing is then connected to the radiator via a hose.

Ya know I wish the t-stat housing was located there.

[gull]

On my V4 Saab it's right on top, on the intake manifold...looks like a great spot until you realize the carb bowl overlaps it just enough to keep you from getting it off. Turns what should be a ten minute job into an hour.