[V8] radiator removal questions

[Buchholz, Steven]

... thanks for the clarification ... it has been some time since I did this
and the brain cells are a bit unrefreshed ... combine that with the fact
that I've replaced a timing belt and an entire engine things can get a bit
muddled ... and I did preface my comments with "I think" ...

... this post did not comment on whether or not the car had the belly pan
installed ... is it possible to do the rad without removing it?  How long
does it take you to R&R the front bumper?

I did want to comment that in my experience with two radiators on two
different cars over a fairly short period that those tranny cooling lines
didn't just pop out of the original rad.  It took quite a bit of persuasion
done in a way to minimize the risk of permanently damaging them to break
them free.  I'm sure the second time would have been considerably easier.  

The other thing to be aware of is that you're going to be losing some amount
of tranny fluid in the process ... with my MT equipped cars it is not too
difficult to determine when the system is full ... not so sure what you
would do with an automatic ... add a quart?

... so, while I agree that it isn't that difficult a task, it is the most
complicated Audi radiator I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with ...

Steve B
San José, Kaleefohnia (USA)
> 
> Hi, having just removed and re-installed mine twice in the 
> last two days I
> feel a need to respond. It really is pretty straight forward 
> and once you
> have the bumper off shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.
> -drain (lower left blue plug)
> -Remove top and bottom coolant hoses
> -pull electrical plug on the bottom of the radiator below hose.
> -pull trans oil cooler lines
> -either remove AC condensor entirely or swing down the unit 
> saving your
> freon
> -I did not remove oil cooler and did not have to on the 3 
> times I have done
> this., nor did I remove any fan or shroud this last time.
> -loosen the two rubber mounted bolts on the bottom
> -pull radiator free.
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> 
> lines ... I
> think you need to pull the engine oil cooler, electric fan 
> and the shroud
> for the belt driven one, but I'm not 100% on that.  For some 
> reason I also
> pulled the intake horns that sit on the front side of the 
> core support ...
> and needed to get some replacement plastic "rivets" that hold 
> it in place.