Re: Plastic Radiator Repair

[chan@bach.seattleu.edu]

I would at least replace the plastic side tank if you do not want to replace
it with a brass radiator. The plastic/aluminum radiator on my 85' 5000s was
replaced with a brass retrofit one because of the breakage of the coolant 
return pipe. I notice the plastic around that area where the pipe broke had
become very brittle, I would replace it I were you. I talked to a mechanic 
at the dealer at Seattle while I was getting my 92' 100 checked, he said 
also had an 85' 5000s like mine and the same thing happend to his upper coolant
pipe he said he ended up replacing it with a brass one since the repair 
kit sold by Audi is such a joke. He would not buy another plastic/aluminum since
they don't last very long which is true ,the last one that broke was the
2nd one, it was a warranty replacement for the original one. I also talked to 
another guy who is an independent Audi mechanic who also suggested that if the
upper return pipe broke then at least replace the tank on that side      
but the cost of a tank replacement is just over $100 then you might
as well replace it with a brass one if you intend to keep the car awhile.  

By the way the reason the upper coolant pipe broke is not just due to heat
damage but due to the stress induced buy the engine movement. You notice the
upper radiator hose as a U-shaped bend on it, the reason for that little bend
is to allow movement from the engine block. When the engine is running and
during acceleration and deceleration it is constantly yanking on the upper 
radiator hose left and right. I think it is really a very poor choice for
Audi to choose to make that part with plastic. 

The brass one are only about $180. It's made by CSF for Modine. It fit just
like the original one. I found mine at a place called Olympic Distributing
in Seattle. 

Anthony Chan
chan@seattleu.edu