i have a coolant leak i think its the thermostat housing.

i assume i have to drain all coolent, remove housing, and replace gasket. what kind of gasket will i need? so i can go buy it before i pull anything apart.

car is a mk2 golf.

Hi Damien,
It may not be your gasket....
I've never had anything to do with Golfs...

but other cars I've had... and this IS common... the coolant eats the alloy of the thermostat housing near where the clamp goes....
I've seen many vehicles that when the hose is to be replaced, the thermostat housing has been eaten away and must be replaced.. I see car companies are now using plastic housings...
If Yours is OK and can be reused... You could try silastic or gasket maker on the old gasket or without a gasket...

I also have used Aviation gasket cement No3 on the thermostat hosing where the rubber hose fits onto, to try to stop this erosion of the alloy....
and use a good quality coolant.... or
You could buy a couple of $2 buckets and save the coolant if its OK.....

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug