[V8] Heater Core Question

Thu Sep 15 12:21:50 EDT 2005

After this happened, I discovered that there was a crack in the
reservoir cap, along with a bad seal, allowing steam and pressure to
escape.  

Could this have been the culprit that has caused so many overheating
problems?

So a new cap is a must-have.  The reservoir looks good - but should I
replace it anyway after such a cooling system meltdown?

And -- I think the radiator is okay - before this happened, I was
running about 90C on the open road, even with a cracked reservoir cap,
so I think it's functioning effectively.  

Nevertheless - is there an easy (relatively speaking) way to clean out
the radiator?

-----Original Message-----
From: Ingo Rautenberg [mailto:i.rautenberg at waratap.com] 
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 11:16 AM
To: Klein, Nathan P; dsaad at icehouse.net; v8 at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [V8] Heater Core Question

Make sure you don't need a radiator as well.  Inferior cooling will
cause the parts of least resistance to self-destruct including heater
control valve and heater core.  If you're currently bypassing the heater
core and all is OK, then you should be good.  Otherwise, fix whatever
the main problem is before doing the heater core -- no need to do it
again.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Klein, Nathan P" <nathan.p.klein at lmco.com>
To: <dsaad at icehouse.net>; <v8 at audifans.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 12:05 PM
Subject: Re: [V8] Heater Core Question

> I don't know for sure if it's bad or not.
>
> I'm just guessing that it's the heater core at the moment.
>
> I've had a ton of overheating problems.  One day, the water temp got
up
> to 120+ C (gauge was all the way over), I heard a loud "POW!" from
> behind the dash, and smoke started billowing from the A/C and defrost
> ducts.  Actually, you could smell antifreeze out of the A/C vents for
a
> few days before this happened, especially if it was rainy or humid.
>
> I haven't done the tear-down yet. So what would be the best way to
tell
> that it is in fact a bad core?
>
> Sourced a new core locally for fifty bucks.  Don't think that it's
OEM,
> so thanks for the pointers.  :)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: v8-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On
Behalf
> Of dsaad at icehouse.net
> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:09 AM
> To: v8 at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [V8] Heater Core Question
>
> I just went through "heater core heck"
>
> Here is what I learned:
>
> Make sure it is bad. My problem in the end turned out to be a loose
hose
> connection from the valve to the core. My OEM core is still good but I
> did not discover this until after the following:
>
> First I tried an all metal (brass) core. It did not fit too well, and
it
> actually failed after a few months. It developed a leak in the core. I
> think this has to do with the fact it was brass, and electrolisys ate
it
> up. In fact, there was a warning in the box that said this could
happen.
> Go figure.
>
> Next I tried the aftermarket plastic/aluminium unit. It is still in
> there - but it stunk like crazy for months (by this I mean your eys
> would water and you had to open the windows). Some sort of toxic junk
on
> it I suppose (it was made in China after all). It seems to be mostly
OK
> now, which is good with winter comeing on.
>
> So - OEM is of course best but way expensive.
> Stay away from the brass.
> If you get the made in China unit (likely) clean it off with solvent
> before you put it in the car.
>
>
> Dave
>
> Quoting "Klein, Nathan P" <nathan.p.klein at lmco.com>:
>
> > Hey y'all,
> >
> > My partially severed finger is pretty much healed, so I'm going to
try
>
> > to find out what's up with the heater core this weekend.
> >
> > I think this has already been answered, but I wanted to confirm
before
>
> > I order the part:
> >
> > Is the heater core on the V8 interchangeable with the 100?  Any
other
> > VAG cross-compatibility?
> >
> > There aren't many V8s down here (I've only seen one other in
> > Dallas-Fort Worth), so parts guys aren't too familiar with 'em.
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Nathan
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Audifans V8 mailing list
> > Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com
> > Manage your list connection:
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8
> > Have an Audi V8 question?  Check the Audifans Knowledgebase!
> > http://www.audifans.com/twiki/bin/view/Audi/V8
> > Have a V8 answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... all
> > contributions welcome!
> >
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Audifans V8 mailing list
> Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com
> Manage your list connection:
http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8
> Have an Audi V8 question?  Check the Audifans Knowledgebase!
> http://www.audifans.com/twiki/bin/view/Audi/V8
> Have a V8 answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... all
> contributions welcome!
>
> _______________________________________________
> Audifans V8 mailing list
> Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com
> Manage your list connection:
http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8
> Have an Audi V8 question?  Check the Audifans Knowledgebase!
> http://www.audifans.com/twiki/bin/view/Audi/V8
> Have a V8 answer? ... Please help others by adding to the KB ... all
contributions welcome!
>

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.857 / Virus Database: 584 - Release Date: 2/10/2005