Hi,

Just recently i've had to start topping my radiator up (about half a litre every 500 miles). I can see the coolant marks where its leaking from, so i know its the rad. Just wondered what you guys thought of rad weld or similar products that you can put in your collant to block minor holes in the radiator. I was told by the audi garage that they dont recommend this due to the fact it can block pumps and other things, but i was guessing they say that so they can charge you 400 quid for a new rad.

If these are ok to use what do you recommend?

Charlie

 

I wouldnt do that just get it replaced

Of course you could try, either nothing would happen or it would be a disaster

 

So it can damage other things?

 

I would try to find a radiator shop to repair it. I had one repaired on a different car, and they rodded it and plug a hole for $75 USD.

 

Dont put any of that crap in your cooling system. If your gonna try any repair make it on the outside of the radiator. I would just pull it out and take it to a repair shop thou.

 

Thanks for the advice, i couldnt find any where to repair it so i just bought a new one. Didn't cost as much as i thought it would.

Thanks again

Charlie

 

is the radiator hard to replace by yourself... can it be done by a home mechanic instead of a pricy professional... im having problems with mine too and i was looking if there were any performance or upgraded radiators i can get since imma get a new one.... can anyone help..... and where can i find info on parts or the process of doing it myself?

 

Its not outside the realm of a diy'er but i wouldnt recommend it as a first time project. You have to remove the bumber and pull the condensor out of the way of the radiator. You dont have to touch the ac system thou. Just pull the condensor out of the way to acces the radiator. You wont need any special tools thou.

 

My 2003 A6 2.7T started a slow leak at just over 50K miles from the rear of the engine, probably the head gasket. Rather than drop ~US$900 on a gasket replacement, I bought the best radiator sealant I could and added it in two doses. Problem solved and now at 74K miles with no other problems. I'm not sure I would have taken this approach if the leak was in the radiator core, as the sealant basically swells the gasket slightly, enough to seal a small leak. Caveat emptor.