Coolant expansion tank connector

[Alan Page]

Hello all,

I've had a slow coolant leak for a couple of months on my '94 S4, and  
after a long, hot drive I found the problem: The hose going to the top  
of the coolant expansion tank was leaking  steam, and if I moved it  
back and forth I could get more or less leakage. I thought that the  
hose clamp was just loose, but I couldn't tighten it because it's one  
of the crimped ones.

When I took off the clamp and the hose, there was a bunch of grit  
(broken plastic) in the hose and the end of the nipple is missing on  
the tank. See a photo of it here:

http://www.flaminglogos.com/_share/expansion_tank01.jpg

Is the nipple supposed to have a thicker bit at the end to form a  
tight seal when clamped? Is there any way to get a good seal with a  
connector that looks like this, or should I just get a new expansion  
tank?

Thanks,
Alan

alan page
flaming logos design
203-364-7856
alan at flaminglogos.com
'90 80
'94 S4