Replacing Radiator some advice needed

[TheMadhatter]

My 130TDi sport has had a slow leak from the coolant system for about 3 years now and it has finally started to be a bit "faster". It has lost 1.5l of coolant over the last month. I can't see where the leak is coming from but my local independent vw garage says that it is coming from the bottom nearside of the radiator where it has corroded (they had a look 2 years ago when I had the cam belt changed).

I have read the haynes manual and have read this guide

I have a couple of question about which radiator to get, I want the one which is the least hassle to fit. So far I have found these 3

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vo...c26235a&000261

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Vo...c26235a&000261

RADIATOR 173VG0380

Thats £50, £70 and £90 is there any significant differences between these ?

Which type/make of antifreeze should I use ?

Are there any things to be aware of before starting the replacement ?

Thanks for any advice

[Col]

I've got one of the cheaper EIS rads on my 2004 Passat TDI, been on just over a year with no issues.

Tip: get a new pair of the rad hose spring clips as you will find them rusty.

[TheMadhatter]

Thanks for that, did the EIS one come with any fittings, new o-rings for the hose joints ?

I found the part number for the radiator clips it is 150121142 my local VW dealer is not the best at getting the right parts.

[TheMadhatter]

I found the valeo one here for a little less

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/...c26235a&000261

anyone used this website before ?

[Col]

They are the same company as eurocarparts.

If you use the ECP and do the click and collect thing, enter the promotion code UKPAS25 or ukpas25 (that is the ukpassats forum code, not sure if we have one here?) it might be a bit cheaper.

[TheMadhatter]

The website did look rather similar, still £30 difference for the same part ? thanks for the code.

As for antifreeze, how much do I need as is the stuff on ECP (red) ok ? I bought my last lot from the main dealer as I understand it to be "special"

[TheMadhatter]

I have ordered the EIS radiator and 5l of the appropriate antifreeze. With the code that came in under £50. I am picking up the clips today.
Now I just need a dry day to fit it,I have next week off. Thanks for the help

Sent from my ST25i using Tapatalk 2

[caldirun]

I quote my post from before Christmas

Radiator replace 130tdi

I have had the slight leak of coolant for 18 months but last week it went from a litre a month to 2 litres a day, I bought a new rad off Ebay for £31 delivered.
I fitted it today in 2 hours, most of that time was spent removing the rusted clip from the bottom quick-fit hose connection, it came out in 5 pieces after hacksawing through the radiator stub to allow access to it (clip and 2 seals for £2.30 from TPS).
I had to hacksaw the bosses for the Ac rad and fit them to the new rad as there were no fittings included just the holes for the self-tappers to go through.
I had no trouble bleeding the system as I had put the HVAC on cold prior to draining to shut off the heater matrix.
Do not place in service position as this is extra work and will not help, the rad comes out no problem (once you get the "quick-fit" hoses off)
If you are loosing coolant go for one of these rads now, I have wasted a few quid on other possible causes but when it really started leaking badly it was obviously the culprit.

[TheMadhatter]

Thanks for that, I had a look at your post before I started this thread. I had not thought of shutting off the heater matrix before draining. I might do that although I had thought about flushing the system out.

One other question, the instructions for the antifreeze say to use distilled or de mineralised water ? I was just going to use tap water, any issues with that ?

[Doctle Odd]

You don't use anti-freeze you use coolant G12/13