changing radiator, Audi 100 2.3

[pimpdriver]

My rad is leaking when it gets really hot, I have found the leak, it is near the top.



I have a spare radiator, any tips for changing it??? I have done a Mk2 GOlf one before. It looks fairly simple, but how hard is it to bleed???

Which coolant should I get, G12? (pink stuff???)

[Isimmo]

Go to Halfrauds and get some Bar-leaks putty (or whatever it's called) and whack that in the hole... Strong as an ox if you follow the instructions...

Alternatively, change the rad...

Should be a simple swap, change the bushes too, then bleed as normal. Run engine with heater on (that'll be nice, this weather!) and top up as necessary.

G12 is the stuff...

[pimpdriver]

Originally Posted by Isimmo

G Run engine with heater on (that'll be nice, this weather!) and top up as necessary.

G12 is the stuff...

Actually I think it is G12+. I have been topping up for months, so it is probably just water in there now!

I have been driving along with the heater on full blast for the past couple of days to get the heat out of the engine so the water wasn't as hot so I could open the expansion tank lid and put some more water in.

Joy of joys!!!!!

[Isimmo]

Originally Posted by pimpdriver

Actually I think it is G12+. I have been topping up for months, so it is probably just water in there now!

I have been driving along with the heater on full blast for the past couple of days to get the heat out of the engine so the water wasn't as hot so I could open the expansion tank lid and put some more water in.

Joy of joys!!!!!

seriously, if you know where the hole is and it can be filled with a putty, go for it, it'll see you good until you've got the time for a rad change...

[pimpdriver]

the hole is where the fins are, do I just ram the putty into the fins???

like this:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165691#dtab

it has pictures of taps and radiators on the packet so should be good.

I will change the coolant and flush it out though, it needs doing (which is why it could have failed in the first place, the corrosion inhibitors have gone........)

And get billy bonus points off the Mrs for not spending ages on the BLOODY CAR

[Isimmo]

I can't remember the stuff I used (without going down the garage), but I inadvertently stuffed a Stanley knife blade into a rad whilst bearing wire, it pee'd fluid even when the pump wasn't running. Whacked some similar stuff over it and packed out the fins to an area about the size of an old 50p piece...

Promised I'd change the rad as soon as possible... Car was destroyed by local youth 8 months later and over 3000 miles, without loosing a mm from the header bottle max line...