Hi guys, new member here , I have a leek on coolant system, booked into local garage problem seems 2 be a flexible pipe leading 2 the cylinder head, 2 describe this it appears 2 b a small length of rubber hose covered by a woven fabric, my problem is only VW Audi I quoting just shy of £300 for this part, tried several parts suppliers and it is not available 2 them can u offer any alternatives .Regards Alan

Welcome Alan.

Could you please post a photo of the hose, and measure its internal diameter. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Please have a look at one of the advertisers at the bottom of the website as they do custom hoses. Club members get 10% off. 

On 7/1/2025 at 5:45 PM, Magnet said:

Welcome Alan.

Could you please post a photo of the hose, and measure its internal diameter. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

 

On 7/1/2025 at 5:45 PM, Magnet said:

Welcome Alan.

Could you please post a photo of the hose, and measure its internal diameter. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Apologies over delay, photos sent and the internal measurement is 8 mm, any other information req please message me , thanks guys. Alan

Thanks Allan,

Wondering if 8mm ID fuel hose might do - make sure it's S.A.E  J30 R9 ( the R9 higher pressure rating is important ).

I understand the well respected Gates now do a braided version, so well worth searching that out. 
Please let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Gareth.
 

Hi Gareth, thanks 4 info  I’m old school is it possible 2 give phone number of  Gates so I can pursue this matter. Alan

Hello Allan, 

Gates are the manufacturer and not the supplier to the public. 
If you go into EBay you will find a number of sellers selling this hose. ACS is just one.

Another company worth looking at would be Parts in Motion ( Exeter). They are motor factors and supply moulded/ bent Gates hoses for a number of vehicles. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi. Gareth image sent, is this suitable and they sell it by the metre, what length would be required. Regards Alan

Hello Alan,

Is this suitable? Maybe, but my recommendation  was for Gates - not had any experience of this manufacturer. Have you sourced a supplier of Gates yet? 
Length? Sorry no idea, you would have to measure the existing one. 
Regards, Gareth. 

Any progress Alan? 

Hi Gareth, apparently it’s not the hose that’s the problem it is the plastic T piece ( I enclose photo of similar) and this is what Audi quoted just shy of £ 300  apparently this T clip carries valves inside you will know better than me, so could u offer a way of obtaining this T piece. Regards Alan

Thanks Alan, so is Audi’s £300 for supply and fit or supply only? 
Regards,

Gareth. 

9 hours ago, Alan j Botfish said:

Hi Gareth, apparently it’s not the hose that’s the problem it is the plastic T piece ( I enclose photo of similar) and this is what Audi quoted just shy of £ 300  apparently this T clip carries valves inside you will know better than me, so could u offer a way of obtaining this T piece. Regards Alan

That’s for supply only, it’s a local garage who they  quoted that to( could he being a bit naughty) whatever it seems unbelievable, please give me your thoughts, all I want 2 do is get motor back running. Alan

That’s 4 supply only , quoted to a local garage ( could he be being a bit naughty)it seems in unbelievable 2 me, all I require is to get motor back on road, your thoughts would be appreciated. Alan

£300 for supply tells me they simply don't want the job. Time to investigate alternative suppliers such as this for example:

https://wolfautoparts.com/coolant-tpiece-adapter-n90760601-ps43608.html

While that one may not be identical to yours, a little time searching the internet may well find one that is.

Hello Alan,

If it were mine:- 

(1) Call in to your nearest main dealer’s Parts Dept. and enquire about the price and availability there. ( are there any electrical connectors very near/within this T piece? by the way?). 

(2) If they won’t give you the part number - which is quite likely - have a look on LLL Parts website, and you may find it there.

(3) Thoroughly search EBay and EBay International to see if you can find one on there.

(4) Register your ‘want’ with on-line car breaker link sites. Partsfinder is one of many. 
 

Please let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Gareth.