Vomit

I noticed over the past week or so coolant dripping from the passenger-side front of my C32. The source of the leak is a (cracked) rubber cap which has been installed over the nipple on the front (closest to the front of the car) of the coolant reservoir. The hose which would normally run from the front of the coolant reservoir down to the radiator? is dangling loose. Obviously, someone at some point (I bought the car used with 29K miles) disconnected this hose and capped the nipple from the coolant reservoir. I am out of warranty now, so will try to fix this myself.

Can you think of why someone would have disconnected this hose and capped the nipple? I am tempted to simply remove the cracked cap and reconnect the hose, but I have to assume that there was some reason for disconnecting the hose in the first place.

Any thoughts on this one?

pc527

Sounds like the previous owner got the EvoSport ODPS kit + Windshield washer reservoir conversion (increase intercooler capacity). Just replace the rubber valve cap.

peter

Vomit

Thanks for the reply. Actually, it was me who bought the Evo kit. I just did not realize that the front hose from the reservoir was disconnected as part of the package. I guess that is the hose which used to feed coolant to the intercooler? Now, since the intercooler is fed by the windshield washer bottle, the hose is useless? Why not simply remove it altogether? I assume that the bottom of the hose has also been disconnected from the intercooler, so I should be able to just pull the hose out of there? Anyone ever try this?

Vomit

Also, has anyone come up with a better way to seal the nipple on the coolant reservoir than the rubber cap? Seems kinda flimsy.

Vadim @ evosport

Steve, you are right, it is part of our kit. Can you send (PM or email) me your address and I will send you new style, silicone cap.

Sorry for the trouble.

Vomit

Thanks Vadim. I hate when my nipples leak.

Vomit

Received the silicone cap today in the mail. Thanks Vadim. Those of you out there who have the Evo mods may want to check the cap on your reservoir to see if you have the old-style rubber one or the new silicone one. Obviously, if this rubber cap cracks and blows, resulting in all of the coolant leaking leaking out of the reservoir, it could have serious results

amgme

I have one of the first ODPS kits. Should I be concerned? Where should I be checking? Anyone have a picture on where these caps should be replaced?

Vomit

It is on the coolant reservoir on the side closest to the front of the car. If you do not know where the coolant reservoir is, try this: Open hood. Standing in front of car, look at your left hand. You will see a whitish/yellowish plastic container about 1/2 the size of a plastic gallon milk carton towards the front of the car. On the side of the container closest to the front of the car, you will see what looks like a connected hose, just to the left of a nipple cap. The cap is the problem. The hose is a dummy. Check the cap for cracks. Mine cracked like crazy after 18 months and leaked enough coolant that the "low coolant" warning was coming on every few days.

SiLvaC32

i had the same problem. the dealer had to replace that for me.

Vomit

Seems like Evo should take the initiative and just send out the replacement cap/instruction letter to all those who got the "old style" rubber cap with their Evo pulley upgrade package. We are talking about a $2.00 part, which, theoretically, could cause a $10,000.00 engine disaster.

Vadim @ evosport

That is precisely what we are doing.

If you got the car or the ODPS kit second hand please call us at 714.901.3100, ask for Mike. Thank you.

amgme

Thanks Vomit for the description. I'll be checking on that when I get home today.

Vomit

Glad to hear that.