How To Fit A New Radiator

[wwjm123456]

hey all im in need of a new radiator and i got my bro to get me one as he works in arnold clark £76 not to bad eh was just wondering is it a big/har djob to fit myself or best of gettin a mechanic to do it? i would say i wasnt to bad wit cars but engine wise im rubbish lol

 

[LEE69]

Bumper off to start.

 

[Nautilus]

I'm interested myself in the possibility of fitting a new radiator for better cooling.

The only other option from VAG is the LCR/R32 radiator of 650x420mm compared to 650x414mm LC/LFR, not enough to make a difference.

Are there other radiators preserving stock shape yet with better cooling abilities and how do they perform?

Thank you,

~Nautilus

 

[LEE69]

Aluminium might be an option, if you can find someone to make it.

 

[wwjm123456]

i kno its a bumper off job but after that is it easy? is it just a matter of unbolting things? ie fans and condenser unit? or is there more to it?

 

[wwjm123456]

any1

 

[ja2007]

i have done this job it will take all day:
just leave me a message if u need help.

 

[Nautilus]

Update to my previous message in this topic: there is a 1.8T radiator with better cooling ability in stock form factor

Mishimoto / 034 Motorsport Radiator, High Output, Mk4 VW All Aluminum

~Nautilus

 

[Nautilus]

Also, there is a Valeo radiator (part no. 1J0 121 253 P) which is 30% larger by having a thicker three-row core.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_IV--1.8T/Engine/Cooling/ES2102240/

 

[BoostHard]

i have done this job it will take all day:
just leave me a message if u need help.

All day? Not at all. Can be done in 1.5 hours easily. Bumper off, crash bar off, uplug all lamps/lights and outside temp sensor.remove top and bottom hose, unscrew rad remove front panel, unscrew aircon rad and replace old rad. Simple.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[Bickerton]

Semi on topic.

Do the Lcr and tdi use the same fitment of rad as if so I often wonder why people don't swap the whole units when fitting an intercooler on a derv as opposed to hacking the crash bar. Looked online and seems the same part is used in both.

 

[danblowes]

Uprated alloy radiator

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230910197866?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Nautilus]

Talked to a parts dealer today:

- stock radiator on 1.8T Leons is 1J0 121 253 AD, 24mm core thickness;
- uprated radiator is listed as "Valeo radiator, tropical climates", code 1J0 121 253 P, 34 mm core thickness.

Mounting points are similar.

For a relatively small amount of money, having a 30% increase in coolant capacity is tempting.

 

[googujube]

Once the bumper is off it is really self explanatory..take it the new one doesn't come with aircon rad so you would have to swap that over.

 

[nathan_20vt]

A/c condenser stays in place, it's screwed onto the radiator so remove the 4 screws for the a/c before removing the radiator