Description
This part replaces the notorious “Kidney” coolant manifold cover that sits on the back of the front engine cover and inside the block with an oring seal, making it impossible to remove without taking off the front engine cover.
Replaces OEM P/N 059103525F, and includes both required gaskets (N90465004 & 059103161AD)
Made from prestretched 6061-T651 chunks, which reduces warping incidence during machining. Since its a much larger part that gets a ton of material removed from it during machining, it made absolute sense.
This is also so I can confidently say this part is absolutely flat and warp-proof.
And of course, its bestowed with OE flange gaskets and Genuine VW O-rings.
And when i say chunks i really do mean chunks.
As our beloved cars mileage climbs higher, these covers unfortunately can start to weep coolant.
To replace it, you have to put the engine in service position, or have the engine pulled, such as for doing timing chain service.
Considering the labor involved, and what a POS the stock part is, I believe that this part is a very nice upgrade to avoid replacing plastic with plastic.
And holy shit this stock cover comes warped AF. Whoever designed it was in a rush too.
Some improvements from stock part.
- Obviously aluminum ≫ plastic…. except for storing certain chemicals perhaps? or for weight. or insulation.
- Stock part comes badly warped from factory → This part is unwarpable and stupid flat.
- Stock part gland varies by ~0.25mm around the part → This part’s gland depth <0.02mm tolerance around the entire perimeter.
- Stock part flange centerline does not match engine cover centerline (WTF) → This part’s flange centerline is matched to engine cover, not original plastic art. and gasket gland tweaked slightly to centerline so loop length is identical while sealing in the dead center of the flange.
- Stock part alignment pins are physically too close (WTF), do not match engine cover holes i STG i am not joking → This part’s pins are designed off engine cover distance so they can ACTUALLY align the part properly.
This work was inspired by a very smart friend’s 3d printed stainless steel covers, but this is not something I copied from him.
Nevertheless, I want to give credit where credit is due. He was the first to make an all-metal cover for this application! And even shared his original design files with me which is really nice.
This part is my own clean-sheet design , using my new boujee scanner and some help from a pro reverse-engineering guy cause I wanted this part to be absolutely perfect and leave nothing to chance.
Country of Origin:
- Hard Parts: Somewhere rainy and cold.
- Gaskets: Germany, Slovenia
