Case of the missing coolant

[Damo]

Also, I’m refitting the cooler element and if I have the plastic washer between the element and housing I’m noticing that the element is sitting significantly more proud than the housing itself. I was wondering if it’s okay for me to go ahead with the install excluding the plastic shim? If I test fit it without the plastic washer and including 1 of the metal shims the fitment is much better.

That was the same for mine. There was no plastic washer when I removed mine, just the rubber seat so that’s how I reinstalled.