Best solution to block a coolant nipple.
 

So I dont use the coolant nipple that comes off the back of the 99 heads (maybe all 1.8l heads). I have it blocked off with a rubber vacuum cap and hose clamp. The problem is that ever 6 months (probably 10hrs run time) the thing is rotted out and cracked from the heat and coolant.

I was at the track yesterday and of course it has to let go, so my only option was to take a piece of vacuum line and a bolt and plug it up. So does anyone know of a good solution to block off a coolant nipple that wont rot out. Something that doesn't involve me pulling the head off. This was i don't waste my track time fixing stupid issues. :bang:

Short length of silicone hose with a bolt or plug clamped into it. Maybe add some rtv if you're feeling feisty.

Yeah, those rubber pieces used to fail on me every 4-6 months too. I'm sure there's a high quality silicone piece you can buy, but the easiest method I found was to clamp a short bolt in a piece of high pressure fuel line. That lasted me two years before I pulled the head, and drilled and tapped it.

lol
i just did this on my protege...having exact same issue as the OP

yeah everyone i know has had this problem. Just trying to see if there is something better out there than the bolt plug method lol

You can either remove the entire fitting and weld up the head, or run a hose around to the water pump inlet in the front. I've started doing the latter after having a bunch of those plugs fail as well.

Use can use caps, but you must use caps that are rated for coolant, not vacuum caps, which WILL rot and fail.

I have my rear outlet routed to the #1 port on my IM as a solution, since both those caps failed on me at the same time :)

A somewhat expensive route would be cut the beaded tip off, and install a compression type AN fitting with a cap. Then you will still have the option of using the port if needed later on.

well im not removing the head, if i did i would just use a LEE PLUG and be done with the issue forever. i will rock the hose and bolt or a custom machined plug for now.