Never had an issue with them before myself, but I'm hearing more and more that this is a very common issue. Some are even clamoring for a metal replacement part.

I've never had much luck with different metals in the cooling system either, but if these plastic thingies brake on mine too, I guess I could be converted.

Glad you got yours fixed.

Paul

Could be worse, my Subaru has a small plastic nipple on the radiator that runs to the turbo coolant overflow tank. Guess who had to order a whole new radiator in the winter time cause the factory hose clamp broke it during a turbo swap?