What to replace with radiator swap?

[OllieVR6 0]

I have ordered a new rad and want to make sure that I have all the extra parts before I start. I'm going to order an elbow from classic parts, does it come with the O ring? If not, do VW still sell them? I think I'll also get a new fan plug thing (the bronze bit). Is there anything else I'll need?

[CazzaVR 0]

Depends how far you want to go. My next project is to replace:

 

Rad + elbow

Fan switch

Crack pipe

Stat housing + sat + sensors + all seals

Change expansion tank for MK4 expansion tank + plug

Silicon hoses

Maybe heater matrix

 

*Edit* + water pump!

Edited October 1, 2012 by CazzaVR

[Philuk 0]

ive got a rad sat downstairs and will be changing,

Rad + elbow

Crack pipe.

fan switch

and hoses.

gonna look into the mk4 expansion cause i quite like the look of it!

is the stat housing a weak point. i had a new stat a few years ago like

[Fine wine, Belgian chocs. 1]

The rubber seal for the elbow is a fairly standard sized rubber o-ring.

If you get stuck for one then PM me and I'll send you one.

[fendervg 30]

I has lots of problems on my MkII because I was replacing bits of the cooling system piece meal - what tended to happen was that when you replaced one old part, e.g. the water pump the pressure in the system would rise and spring a leak somewhere else. If I was to do it again I'd just renew the whole system at the same time - you will have it drained anyway. So I'd recommend saving, and doing:

Rad

Temp sender

Stat housing and stat

Water pump if noisy

Hoses

Crack pipe

Oil cooler

[OllieVR6 0]

Ok thanks folks. I can't stretch to new hoses but I can probably manage the rest. I replaced the matrix a couple of years ago so that shouldn't need doing either.

 

I'll be getting the water pump out to check it whilst I'm in the bay, are they expensive to replace?

[Jim Bowen 1]

New rad from VW comes with the elbow already fitted btw

 

Think the water pump is about £50-60 and is an exchange item (return your old one)

 

I also ended up doing everything on mine as it kept bursting in new places, rad, thermo housing, pipes all went within month of each other.

[Critical_Mass 10]

Not the O ring on the below is a flat profile not a round profile.

[OllieVR6 0]

New rad from VW comes with the elbow already fitted btw

 

Think the water pump is about £50-60 and is an exchange item (return your old one)

 

I also ended up doing everything on mine as it kept bursting in new places, rad, thermo housing, pipes all went within month of each other.

 

I didn't get a VW one (obsolete or so I thought) I got the Hella one that Pete has been saying good things about (and that Dave has been using for 30k odd miles).

[CazzaVR 0]

Defo do the water pump!

[Fine wine, Belgian chocs. 1]

Not the O ring on the below is a flat profile not a round profile.

 

The o-ring on the elbow is a flat profile not a round profile?

 

You're probably right.

But the original one is apparently obsolete now at VW so I had no choice but to use a standard o-ring which fitted a treat and sealed perfectly.

Unfortunately I had to buy a huge selection box from Screwfix to get the right size so I've got one or two spares now.

[Critical_Mass 10]

Yeah i did that once as a quick fix. Bought some from B&Q and it seaped, so you did well to get it to seal.

 

That was meant to say note* and elbow* btw.... :lol: took quick to type

[OllieVR6 0]

Temp sender

 

Is this the same part as the fan switch?