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Thread: Is a DIY radiator possible or a nightmare?

  1. #1
    Registered User Aronis's Avatar
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    Is a DIY radiator possible or a nightmare?

    My RS has a radiator leak.

    So I'm on the fence. DIY or pay the man?

    Any insight?

    Mike
    '18 BMW M5, '19 Porsche Boxster GTS
    (prior '94 325is, '97 M3, '00 A6 4.2,'03 RS6,'08 A4 Cab,'13 A8L,'15 Q7,'16 BMW M2,

  2. #2
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    Pay the man, or find a substitute (A6 4.2?) DIY would be a disaster. But first, where does it leak and how do you know? Lots of places this car leaks Pentofrost, main radiator usually isn't one of them.

  3. #3
    Registered User kevin's Avatar
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    Pinpoint leak then go from there. Repair could go from easy to bastard in no time. Good luck.
    2003 Rs6 Mugello/Ebony Eurocharged/APR R1 DV's/RNS-E/KW-v3/Hotchkis/Full Milltek Cat-less/Apikol IC's/D.O. water-meth/ 6 speed SOLD!! Next???

  4. #4
    Registered User Jimmy Joe's Avatar
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    I had a radiator leak too, They wanted $ 1400.00 or so for a new one at the dealership. Different from A6 plastic/aluminium build. Turns out my RS6 has an old cooper radiator with a pin leak that was fixed for around $ 80 bucks in a radiator shop. worth loking into.

  5. #5
    Registered User V8weight's Avatar
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    The ac has to be evacuated to do the radiator... Condensir has to be removed.. Front end in service position, etc.
    Pat - Eisenmann race exhaust, Catless downpipes, KW V3's, H-Sport sways, 034 Control arms, Apikol diff mount, Sterns motor mounts, Forge dv's, Stainless brake lines, Venair hoses, Sportec vent mod, Euro tails, Viper Tuned ecu/tcu, DPE S20's 19x9.5, 275/30/19's

  6. #6
    Registered User Aronis's Avatar
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    Thanks. I'll probably DIY.

    Looking into setup.

    Service position is not a concern. I have to learn that one sooner or later.

    I figured I could get the leak soldered.

    Mike
    '18 BMW M5, '19 Porsche Boxster GTS
    (prior '94 325is, '97 M3, '00 A6 4.2,'03 RS6,'08 A4 Cab,'13 A8L,'15 Q7,'16 BMW M2,

  7. #7
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    Service position. EZ-PZ

    Forget Fast times at Ridgemont High.....only hot rods in my garage. Two timing belts at a time.


  8. #8
    Registered User lswing's Avatar
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    ^^^work of art there, very nice...
    Ace/Edge TC - Tozo Trans - MTM TCU - REVO/ME7 tune - Wagner IC's w/ Venair Hoses - Aux Radiator delete - Hotchkis Sways - Hawk HPS Pads - Koni Sport Struts - Scroll KO4 Turbos - Devil's Own WM - 421whp/452wtq on Mustang Dyno - http://www.audirssix.com

  9. #9
    Registered User Aronis's Avatar
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    Click image for larger version. 

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    Got a lift. Just need to move my car.
    '18 BMW M5, '19 Porsche Boxster GTS
    (prior '94 325is, '97 M3, '00 A6 4.2,'03 RS6,'08 A4 Cab,'13 A8L,'15 Q7,'16 BMW M2,

  10. #10
    Registered User Aronis's Avatar
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    found radiator via California for 1200.....will be shipped from Germany....local audi dealer wanted 2000.....yikes..
    Mike
    '18 BMW M5, '19 Porsche Boxster GTS
    (prior '94 325is, '97 M3, '00 A6 4.2,'03 RS6,'08 A4 Cab,'13 A8L,'15 Q7,'16 BMW M2,

  11. #11
    Registered User Aronis's Avatar
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    Done....took one day.....not too difficult....
    '18 BMW M5, '19 Porsche Boxster GTS
    (prior '94 325is, '97 M3, '00 A6 4.2,'03 RS6,'08 A4 Cab,'13 A8L,'15 Q7,'16 BMW M2,

  12. #12
    Registered User Aronis's Avatar
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    my mechanic is great......he makes it look easy....

    Mike
    '18 BMW M5, '19 Porsche Boxster GTS
    (prior '94 325is, '97 M3, '00 A6 4.2,'03 RS6,'08 A4 Cab,'13 A8L,'15 Q7,'16 BMW M2,

  13. #13
    Registered User Primo's Avatar
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    I got a radiator leak aswell. Ordered one from Germany on ebay. Took about a week to ship, well worth the wait.

    I'm thinking of changing the intercoolers aswell. I take it Wagner is the brand to go with?
    2004 Audi RS6 - 4.2 V8
    1993 Audi S4 - 4.2 V8
    2007 Audi A8 - 4.2 V8

  14. #14
    Registered User lswing's Avatar
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    Nice....or Apikoli? does a rebuild with cores....I have an extra set of stock IC's, not leaking....
    Ace/Edge TC - Tozo Trans - MTM TCU - REVO/ME7 tune - Wagner IC's w/ Venair Hoses - Aux Radiator delete - Hotchkis Sways - Hawk HPS Pads - Koni Sport Struts - Scroll KO4 Turbos - Devil's Own WM - 421whp/452wtq on Mustang Dyno - http://www.audirssix.com

  15. #15
    Registered User Primo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lswing View Post
    Nice....or Apikoli? does a rebuild with cores....I have an extra set of stock IC's, not leaking....
    Hi, sent you a pm.
    2004 Audi RS6 - 4.2 V8
    1993 Audi S4 - 4.2 V8
    2007 Audi A8 - 4.2 V8

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