[s-cars] Radiator Replacement

[Tom Green]

Hi Paul,

The Nissens radiator (Dutch company, european radiator) sold by  
autohausaz.com for $125 is probably the best deal.  I have put 2 on my  
neighbors cars.  I really like the OEM german radiator sold on ebay,  
but it is about $100 more and it is not a perfect match because it  
includes a transmission cooler for automatics that you simply don't  
use.  There were probably a lot fewer plastic pieces to transfer from  
the old radiator, but essentially an identical fit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200828403263?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

As far as the job itself, it requires removing the front bumper and  
lock carrier on top of the radiator but then you have pretty good  
access except for the lower radiator hose.  It's probably a good idea  
to just put a new one on there at least.  This is the time to replace  
any other cooling hoses or plastic connectors if that has not been  
done recently.  I have had problems transferring the temp sensor for  
the aux fan that is at the bottom  of the radiator because the fibre  
gasket fell apart.  I have seen some gaskets online if you don't want  
to buy a new sensor.  Many of the plastic pieces that surround the  
radiator to direct air flow to the radiator are brittle and break up  
easily.  At ~ $20 apiece from genuineaudiparts.com (the San Diego audi  
dealer) they add a bit to the job cost to replace them all.  If you  
look things over carefully, you will probably see what needs  
replacing, i.e., hoses with a little bulge, some with crusty coolant  
residue at the fitting, and condition of the thermostat housing.  If  
original, it probably will have some part crumbling at the sealing  
flange.

good luck with the job,

Tom '95 S6
          '95.5 S6 avant
Knoxville, TN

On Friday April 26, 2013, at 2:39 PM,Paul Luevano <paul at clarity.net>   
wrote:
>
> Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:39:37 -0400
> From:
> To: s-car-list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Subject: [s-cars] Radiator Replacement
> Message-ID: <517AC9E9.4060009 at clarity.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Sigh-
>
> 	When it rain, it pours.  Just had the S6 in the shop to have new  
> tires
> installed.  While they had it, I had them install a new (rebuilt)  
> brake
> servo, service the AC, and some other little things that needed doing.
>
> 	Get the car back, and not 4 days later, I notice a puddle under the
> car.  What the hell is that?  Looks like coolant.  Take a closer look,
> and it looks like the end cap on the drivers side is weeping.  <sigh>
>
> 	What is the list favorite source for a radiator, and just how much  
> of a
> PITA is a radiator replacement on the '95  S6?
>
> 	TIA!
>
> Paul Luevano
> Wayland, MA
>