Replacing rad on ABY with a/c

[iDub]

Had a look on s2-audi.co.uk at the stat replacement guide, as it covers removing the rad first. It looks fiddly, but generally not too hard. The problem is that guide was written for a non-a/c car. How much extra hassle does my car having a/c add to this?

[AUDIS2avant]

Havent tried it on a non a/c car before, but it´s not easy tho.
Just did it a few months back and took me a few hours to get it out and tha car was on a lift, which made it easyer.
Problem is the screws are located in some WERY tight places, and this sets you back, otherwise it´s just in and out.
Just loosen as much you can regarding the mounting brackets that hold the coolers, so it can twist forwards and backwards then it will come in.

Good luck

[Fat Audi 80]

Hi, I have replaced the radiator on an AC equiped car. It is not easy, but can be done with degassing the AC system. You have to be careful, loosen everything then tie the AC rad out of the way to allow you to replace the water radiator.

The biggest problem you will have as stated about is access to the screw the hold the cowling in for the radiator down the side next to the engine block. You MUST have the right tools to gain access, which from memory is a small socket set that allows you to use it at right angles with very little clearance.

Allow yourself a good 8 hours and take your time....

HTH

Cheers,

Steve.

[iDub]

Damn! Might leave this one to my mechanic then.

Cheers guys.

[nip]

done it twice, it can be done its not easy. I didnt degas the aircon it was left in place, i done it a few years ago i know the hardest bit was undoin the 10 mls ( i think) which hold the couling on, the rad has to be lifted up to takeout, i think there without lookin at it the ac rad and rad is both bolted together in a couple of places. Hope this helps was done a while ago

[AUDIS2avant]

As nip said, mine was the same, left the a/c in.
Did mine as nip said also

[QuattroFever]

done with a/c in. Worst bit for me was wiggling the rad out and away from the ac rad, Not saying it wouldnt be easier but no special tools here, thats why im nicknamed the claw!

[PistonBroke]

I've done it as well without degassing - twice ( first new rad leaked ! ) and no special tools needed.
It was fiddly more than anything, you need to detach the water rad from the a/c rad, there are a couple of bolts that hold them both together at the top - I don't think there are any bolts lower down, just a sort of hook arrangement which slots together and should pull apart ( upwards ) when everything else is undone although it can be tricky to find the right angle so that they will pull apart. The a/c rad can just stay in place although you will probably need to support it somehow.

The plastic cowling down the side of the engine block will come out still attached to the radiator but it does take some coaxing and you need to part the power steering pipe where it passes in front of the rad and through the cowling. You then need to push the pipe & bend the cowling to manoever the power steering pipe back through the cowling to allow it (the cowling) to move up. I didn't think that bit was going to work when I first tried it but it can be done.
Just attach the cowling to the new rad before you fit it and you won't have to try and get to the bolts that hold it on - it is very tight down that side. There are also one or two smaller bits of plastic cowling that should be detached from underneath first.

It is definately worth changing the thermostat whilst it's out and I would also have a close look at the two small water hoses next to the thermostat housing at the same time. Unless they have been changed recently I would renew them, one of mine was on it's way out.

[iDub]

Well, I caved in and got my specialist mechanic to do it. 2.5 hours labour and didn't need to de-gas the system. He did the thermostat for me (without removing the rad) three weeks ago

If it took him 2.5 hours, it would have taken me about a month His labour rates are reasonable and he knows s2's so it's all good anyway.

[Fat Audi 80]

Bloody hell! 2.5 hours is good IMO