radiator end cap plastic repair

[Tom Tauskey]

Eric wrote: 

Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:33:59 -0500
From: "Eric Huppert" <dragracer at netstep.net>
Subject: radiator end cap plastic repair
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Message-ID: <JMEMJCJGJPAPJKLMIMIIIEOHCBAA.dragracer at netstep.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Tom,

Easiest way to fix it is a new radiator! (Not the cheapest though)
Sure that isn't what you wanted to hear! What caused it to crack?? If it's old and "brittle" you'll end up having other radiator problems eventually. JB weld epoxy might provide a temporary patch, but temporary is the operative word here!

Been driving and fixing Audis long enough to realize that there's enough
maintenance involved in these vehicles that I only want to repair broken
stuff once! This way I have plenty of time for the other things that need
done! :o)

Eric

Yeah, just looking for a temporary fix - it's been too cold here in Denver to think about replacing a radiator (for me... even in an unheated garage!).  The car (100 CS auto) earned it's "Snowqueen" appellation by doing everything asked of it in and around the drifts and sidestreet parking venues over the last month or so.   Made the mistake of forgetting about the coolant loss issue when I gave it to my 20yr. old daughter to drive during the holidays.  She brought it back  - steamin' and basically dry.  Hey... iIt WAS a cold day....and she hadn't gone more than 10 miles or so... but the last bit of coolant was steamin' out of the crack in the radiator when she pulled into the drive.   Didn't seem to do any damage..(at least none yet evident).    Now loses about 1 liter every 2-3 days/150 miles. Not too expensive to refill each time... but a couple of weeks worth of ethelyene glycol would at least equal a tube of JB weld - or urethane - just not sure what to use (see other replies).   I thought there was a code for various plastics molded into the various bits and pieces (like the "recycle" logo on many containers).   Haven't been able to check out the radiator end cap for any such code yet.   Not sure if a piece of tin plated steel or aluminum (a'la dog food or other can) would work or not (as suggested).  I'm looking for a 1/2 hour = 2-3 month repair till I can get a new radiator in there.  Draining coolant and working with cold, wet plastic in 0-10 degree wx dosen't appeal to me... Doesn't look to me like the end cap can be replaced with any great assurance that the repair wouldn't leak - sooner rather than later.  Thanks for the replies.

Tom 
'93 100CS "Snowqueen"
'94 S4 
'89 200TQ