Broke upper radiator elbow. Possible work around?

[WolfS4]

I upgraded to the JHM ported intake manifold (YAAY!) and while installing last night, in the dark, and rain...I managed to break the small hose connector on the upper radiator hose elbow.

If you need a visual:

So, those not familiar with the hose that connects to this, it sort of Y-splits and one end goes to the intake manifold heater, and the other goes to the reservoir.

Anyhow, to stop the leak I capped the broken connector with a screw, removed that hose and the Y-split completely, and connected the other end of the manifold heater directly to the reservoir. Ran the car up to temp, and things seemed to be ok. Can anyone foresee that being an issue to leave it that way? I know it seems dumb to not just buy the $12 part and do it sort of the right way. Doing it this way though eliminates a hose, and bypasses that manifold heater without the need for the strait through barb.

[04 S4]

linky no worky

[B6JoeS4]

Lol I can foresee a big issue.

That's the hose that sends excess coolant to the expansion tank when the coolant expands as it gets hot. Don't drive the car like that at all.

[WolfS4]

Lol I can foresee a big issue.

That's the hose that sends excess coolant to the expansion tank when the coolant expands as it gets hot. Don't drive the car like that at all.

Thanks Joe, exactly what I was looking for.

[BenSti]

Lol I can foresee a big issue.

That's the hose that sends excess coolant to the expansion tank when the coolant expands as it gets hot. Don't drive the car like that at all.

Exactly, it is a pretty important hose. Also connects the coolant feed through the intake manifold on the RS4 so it has coolant flowing at all times.

[JimmyBones]

I have broken a bunch of those elbows. It would be great if I could find a metal pipe with a small y fitting that came off to eliminate that elbow. You could get rid of the stupid factory spring clamps and using screw clamps to hold the rubber lines on.

[Rirruto]

That sucks man. Mine just broke on Sunday. I literally popped the hood and barely moved the hose and the little nipple part sheared right off, spraying coolant everywhere. I also don't understand why a metal part couldn't be there.

[B6JoeS4]

I can't blame Audi for using the plastic part there. They have used similar parts on older cars with no issues. Someone engineer just goofed

[Dcass08]

It'll be fine, mine broke as well. I plugged both ends and have been driving it in this 98 degree weather with no issues. The new one will be here tomorrow.

Lol I can foresee a big issue.


That's the hose that sends excess coolant to the expansion tank when the coolant expands as it gets hot. Don't drive the car like that at all.

[slvrb7]

Lol how much coolant comes out when replacing that elbow or is my whole system going to expell all of its coolant leaving me to burp it

[ddillenger]

If you can find a radiator repair shop they have small metal sleeves that will go through the broken elbow and piece that broke to reinforce it. Used in conjunction with some good epoxy and the repair will outlast the car.

[slvrb7]

I broke the nipple there is no repairing ill buy new elbow just was curious how much coolant I am about to spill in my garage.

[slvrb7]

Should I just dump the radiator to keep mess at minimum?

[nnnick]

All I gotta say is f**k that elbow. I've broken it too. Very brittle and easy to do :(

I swear parts like that are why I'm convinced Audi intentionally designed "booby traps" to prevent people from working on the cars themselves...

[BenSti]

All I gotta say is f**k that elbow. I've broken it too. Very brittle and easy to do :(

I swear parts like that are why I'm convinced Audi intentionally designed "booby traps" to prevent people from working on the cars themselves...

Just wait till you see a BMW cooling system... You thought the Audi was bad, imagine almost guaranteed failure every 40-50k miles.

[blaelock]

I broke that same elbow three months ago. I actually also jerked another coolant line in the process and had to replace a whole rats nest of cooling hoses. Wasn't cheap.

[blaelock]

Just wait till you see a BMW cooling system... You thought the Audi was bad, imagine almost guaranteed failure every 40-50k miles.

I can personally attest to this. A BMW I owned under warranty experienced a failure within that range. I've made it a point to replace the cooling system on any used BMW (or european vehicle) I own every 50-75k depending on the condition of the parts. The nature of the design in combination with the brittle, old plastic is a nothing short of a time bomb.