Having recently purchased an X19 and had a poke around one of the jobs i think i need to do a full rad replacement. The cooling fins have deteriorated at the bottom of the rad so assume full replacement is the best option. Ive seen a couple of places that supply a reconditioned rad for approx £240 having exchange the old one in return. I will also give the whole system a flush. Is the the right course of action?
Most people are replacing the rad with a variety scirocco one, seems to work better. It needs a couple of tweaks to fit but the smart money say it's a good mod.
Another option could be to get your existing radiator re-cored locally.
I had mine done a few years ago and had no trouble since, it will cost in the region of £100 to £150.
It is a good idea to get your cooling systems fully flushed out while you're at it.
Remove hoses and jet water into the engine block from both ends. It's amazing how much crap you will get out of it. There is a drain hole on the engine block if you are brave enough to try it and there are a couple of drain holes on the coolant pipes underneath the car towards the front.
Also, disconnect the heater circuit and flush that out as well.
When filling back up make sure you use blue anti freeze rather than the red. I think the red doesn't do some of the seals any good.
Cheers
Andy
Blue Gran Finale F100FAW
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Lido ALF 704S
An easy and effective way to flush the whole system with little effort is to do what I did.
When attaching the engine hose to the heater pipe at the back of the car for some stupid reason wrap the pipe with insulation tape, connect up the pipe and fill.
Then take it for a good blast with the heater full on.
When you notice a smell of coolant and the temperature needle going up, freewheel the rest of the way home.
The tape will have gone. The crud will have gone. Your self esteem will have gone.
Connect up the pipe without tape but two clips, refill the system and there you are.
A thoroughly clean system better than ever.
Hereford Radiators have done mine in the past with an uprated copper core; it works really well. They also supply them for the Lancia Montecarlo chaps (same rad) Obviously the VW rad is lighter but if you want the original, no fuss, plug and play option, the copper core is the way to go.
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