Oh dear,..need a new radiator for the 1.6 Fsi.

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

This morning i've had the Fsi diagnosed needing a new radiator. If you've followed my owners thread The Green Goddess you'd have read we have a water leak that has become progressively worse all of a sudden. I repaired the obvious T piece plastic union below the expansion bottle for a brass piece but we now know we have a bad leak coming from the bottom of the radiator.

I've been on the phone to Audi and it went nla 2020. My question is, do any of you have any experience of using a new alternative make of radiator in the usual places like ebay with good results? Do they fit, are they identical? Perhaps someone knows who made the original radiators for Audi? Really need a new radiator otherwise Pine Green is grounded for the foreseeable.

 

[PlasticMac]

If you Google car radiator repair, there seems to be quite a few hits. Add near me, to narrow it down.
Mac.

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

Mac, you can't repair plastic header tanked radiators.

 

[PlasticMac]

Mac, you can't repair plastic header tanked radiators.

Is it the ends, one with flow and return connection, that are plastic mouldings? The actual heat exchanger is metal, I believe.
I think, (from 7Zap), that the FSI rad is the same as the AMF, BHC, and ATL rads, so maybe one of the breakers has one in good nick.
Mac.

 

[A2Steve]

All of the A2 radiators are the same, it's just the connections once they leave the rad that change. Bound to be an aftermarket one available.

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

There will be a aftermarket radiator for sure but my question specifically refers to has anyone had an experience of any other brand ie after market? . I've asked google the same info "best radiator for A2 Fsi"? And up comes AKS DASIS and NRF. I've ordered a AKS DASIS 480037N Engine radiator 468 x 395 x 27 mm, Brazed cooling fins from Autodoc fingers crossed.

 

[Ami]

I have a few VGC pm me if required

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

Is it the ends, one with flow and return connection, that are plastic mouldings? The actual heat exchanger is metal, I believe.
I think, (from 7Zap), that the FSI rad is the same as the AMF, BHC, and ATL rads, so maybe one of the breakers has one in good nick.
Mac.

Yes, those are the headers that hold the antifreeze and being plastic are not repairable.They are a clamp fit. The mechanic said the bottom of the radiator was split, i assume he means where it meets the headertank,once they swell or start to split thats it.

The heat exchanger is aluminium but the ends of the tubes need crimping inside a new plastic header tank which cannot be done. I knew the answer but before i asked on here, i spoke to a radiator repairer near me and he confirmed that you cannot repair a plastic header tank. The Radiator specialist i spoke to was Viking Radiators in Denham. I recognised the name and asked "your not the chaps from Harrow are you" Yes he replied! Wow i thought, used to use them nearly 40 years ago when radiators were built properly with copper or brass header tanks that needed brazing on, none of this plastic rubbish!

 

[PlasticMac]

There will be a aftermarket radiator for sure but my question specifically refers to has anyone had an experience of any other brand ie after market? . I've asked google the same info "best radiator for A2 Fsi"? And up comes AKS DASIS and NRF. I've ordered a AKS DASIS 480037N Engine radiator 468 x 395 x 27 mm, Brazed cooling fins from Autodoc fingers crossed.

I'd think the weight is a good guide to quality.
Mac.

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

I'd think the weight is a good guide to quality.
Mac.

I will find out soon enough, this is what i bought and can return anytime up to 200 days with free return. Like i said fingers crossed.

AKS DASIS 480037N Engine radiator 468 x 395 x 27 mm, Brazed cooling fins
Article number: 480037N
Submit a review

• Radiator type: Brazed cooling fins
• Core Dimensions: 468x395x27
• Outlet Ø [mm]: 32
• Inlet Ø [mm]: 32
• Weight [kg]: 2,3
• Packaging length [cm]: 63,5
• Packaging width [cm]: 44,5
• Packaging height [cm]: 11
• Core Length [mm]: 468
• Core Width [mm]: 395

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

I doubt there's many FSI's that have got up to 140,000 miles like ours without serious mishap on here. Most seam to get scrapped by 110-120K for what are relatively minor problems albeit very annoying and no help from Audi in helping those who want to persevere with an A2. I'm determined to get Pine Green to well over 150,000 on up to 200,000 miles.

 

[PlasticMac]

I doubt there's many FSI's that have got up to 140,000 miles like ours without serious mishap on here. Most seam to get scrapped by 110-120K for what are relatively minor problems albeit very annoying and no help from Audi in helping those who want to persevere with an A2. I'm determined to get Pine Green to well over 150,000 on up to 200,000 miles.

I'm very lucky, mine is on about 59,000 mls. Also, didnt think that aluminium could be braised.
Live and learn.
Mac.

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

I'm very lucky, mine is on about 59,000 mls. Also, didnt think that aluminium could be braised.
Live and learn.
Mac.

We've almost done more miles in ours than your car shows in it's entirety, we still love driving it. It's such a good car, it would need to be otherwise i wouldn't put up with it and the usual A2 faults they all suffer with. You've got it all to come Mac, it's just around the corner sadly.

Some very good news about why my car is so good to drive it's had a AMD chip when it was about to go out of warranty. Taken on a very hot day so you can guarantee it will be slightly more. Before the chip, bhp was 105.3 after 117.6 bhp so it'll be 120bhp at least. Torque 110.9 @4523rpms after 121.8 @4494rpms. Fuel economy is actually better too, no wonder why i keep saying in my owners thread it pulls so well, win win around.

 

[PlasticMac]

We've almost done more miles in ours than your car shows in it's entirety, we still love driving it. It's such a good car, it would need to be otherwise i wouldn't put up with it and the usual A2 faults they all suffer with. You've got it all to come Mac, it's just around the corner sadly.

Some very good news about why my car is so good to drive it's had a AMD chip when it was about to go out of warranty. Taken on a very hot day so you can guarantee it will be slightly more. Before the chip, bhp was 105.3 after 117.6 bhp so it'll be 120bhp at least. Torque 110.9 @4523rpms after 121.8 @4494rpms. Fuel economy is actually better too, no wonder why i keep saying in my owners thread it pulls so well, win win around.

So, can your ECU be cloned? I'm happy with mine as it is, but a bit more would be good too.

Mac.

 

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

Mac.

Well, you'd need the chip set AMD used, i could do this myself if i had another set of chips which i don't sadly, i say sadly as it's such a superb drive. It requires a socket which would need soldering into the board, then it's plug and play. I have never looked inside an A2 ecu but i wouldn't be surprised if it's surface mount being early 2000. If it's though hole soldering it would be a doddle.