RE: '87 5kcstq - radiator leak

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

Yes, I've done it two years ago. One of the studs broke, so assuming the
plastic tanks are in very poor conditions I replaced the radiator with
an all-metal (copper) one.
Disconnect the battery. Drain the coolant by removing lower radiator
hose. Remove the upper hose and expansion tank. Disconnect the fan
thermoswitch and unbolt the wires from the fan motor. From under the car
loose the bolts securing lower radiator shroud and unbolt the lower
radiator mount. Remove the upper radiator shroud. The hydraulic pump
usually goes into way. You should umbolt it and move to the left, I also
found removing the mounting bracket necessary, it's not necessary to
diconnect the lines, though, so it's not a problem. Remove the upper
radiator mounts. Lift the AC condenser a little and pull towards you (it
is hoooked to the radiator at the bottom). Now you can remove the
radiator. Tilt it to the right (assuming you are standing in front of
the car) then remove from the engine compartment at approx. 45 degree
angle (Haynes has good picture of this procedure) together with the fan
and shroud.
Few tips: inspect the main radiator mount, replace if it is worn.
Otherwise you can just remove the old one and put it on the new
radiator. (you need vice-grips of correct size to do that).  Once you
have the fan motor removed, you may want to clean and lube it, replace
the brushes etc. It is real PITA to remove the fan motor without
removing the radiator first.
I found fitting the new radiator quite difficult, it needs some
intelligent wiggling to insert it. Good luck

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Bill.Brace@donnelly.com [SMTP:Bill.Brace@donnelly.com]
> Sent:	Monday, October 27, 1997 7:48 PM
> To:	quattro@coimbra.ans.net
> Subject:	'87 5kcstq - radiator leak
> 
> My   '87 5kcstq  - 124k miles - has a strange radiator leak -  when
> hot, it
> holds pressure fine  - shut it off and let it cool down and it leaks
> along
> the  side seam on the end toward the engine.
>      -   I'm planning on removing the radiator and getting it fixed or
> replaced.
>      -  Anyone out there BTDT?
>      -  Does the Hydraulic pump have to be removed for clearance?
>      -  Any advise will be apreciated.
>