Cracked main Radiator - repair

[avants2turbo]

Guys, ive got a crack in the top of my main rad (s2 Avant)

its near the bleed screw at the top, its about 1.5" long, hairline

can i repair this with araldite or plastic welding or fibreglass?

any reccomendations/suggestions would be appreciate as the rad looks fairly new and i dont really want to fork out for a new one!

cheers
Keith

[Jamo]

JB Weld

[Fat Audi 80]

I very much doubt that any glue type repair is going to last. I assume you are talking about the plastic part at the top.

It's a new rad IMO...

Sorry

[avants2turbo]

JB Weld

isnt JB Weld for metal?

yes its the plastic "top tank" for want of a better description...

[Jamo]

Nope will work on the rad, search JB Weld on forum I've recommened it before to great effect.

[Ross]

Worth a try with the JB weld as Jamo says. I did, gave me an extra week of life but I'm afraid the crack only got bigger and a new radiator was a must.

About £100 from GSF.

Cheers
Ross

[avants2turbo]

Worth a try with the JB weld as Jamo says. I did, gave me an extra week of life but I'm afraid the crack only got bigger and a new radiator was a must.

About £100 from GSF.

Cheers
Ross

£100 thats not so bad.. though it was more like £150/200

how horrific are they to change?

[Fat Audi 80]

Not too bad to change, worse with Aircon though as the AC rad is directly behind the main water rad...

have a search on the forum, there are a few guides about....

Cheers,

Steve.

[avants2turbo]

Not too bad to change, worse with Aircon though as the AC rad is directly behind the main water rad...

have a search on the forum, there are a few guides about....

Cheers,

Steve.

I thought the aircon rad was infront of the main rad?

[MidnightBlueS2]

I thought the aircon rad was infront of the main rad?

It is. Fatty's got it wrong for once. I almost always agree to anything he says

[avants2turbo]

has anyone got a guide to changing the main rad (with aircon)

have ordered one from GSF (made by Hella) £121+VAT!

hoping to have a go at fitting it tomorrow..

[Ross]

Ouch! I guess inflation is a little high at present, but that is a bit of a jump havne't got the receipt but pretty sure mine was just over a ton + the dreaded.

Actually getting the rad loose is pretty easy, mounting points are underneath and on the right hand side where it meets the chassis. It's easier to remove with the AC rad still attached aparrently, but i unbolted them to leave it in-situ. The real PITA is the cowling down the left hand side, access is hard and if the bolts are rounded as mine were you're ******ed.

Cheers
Ross

[Rusty]

Careful with the Nissens ones, you want the OE Behr one really and they're special order at GSF. THe Nissens one will die after 2 years, the OE one will last 10 if you look after it when fitting as they're a little fragine to the uninitiated

[avants2turbo]

Careful with the Nissens ones, you want the OE Behr one really and they're special order at GSF. THe Nissens one will die after 2 years, the OE one will last 10 if you look after it when fitting as they're a little fragine to the uninitiated

the only one the guy had on the system was the one i ordered, he couldnt find it at first, the part no. had been superseeded, and he said it was a Hella part no. (german arnt they)

[Rusty]

I think Hella and Behr are all realted. As long as it's not Nissens then you're laughing, expecially if you have AC, the weight of the condensor killed my NIssens in 2 years and it looked awful too!