Help, Broken radiator

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Jan 8, 2001 | 01:19 PM

89Q100

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Help, Broken radiator

My 89 Quattro 100 upper radiator outlet broke this afternoon, and I lost all my coolant. My mechanic was able to reattach it temporarily and I have loosened the cap so I don't pressurize the system, but now I am in a urgent need of a solution. Anybody know where to find an inexpensive new rad? I have heard that there are metal ones available. I live in Ontario Canada, so something close by would be best?

Thanks for previous suggestions regarding the breather hose, that will have to wait for now.

Jan 8, 2001 | 01:36 PM

MikTip

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I fixed on once, but it did not last...........

Found a piece of aluminum tubing which fit perfectly inside the plastic piece, and glued the broken plastic piece back on ontop of the tube.

Lasted for 3 weeks! Long enough to get replacement radiator.

Dont know of a place in Canada, but in the US, 1-800-472-1144.

Jan 8, 2001 | 01:42 PM

89Q100

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Re: I fixed on once, but it did not last...........

Thanks, I think that I can last a few days, but now I really have to get to work and find a good solution. My mechanic is looking through his contacts and so I am using the web to look into other alternatives. I just spent a bundle on the car and so perhaps a "used" or "metal" rad might save me some bucks. I have heard somewhere that these plastic ones break all the time, hence my interest in metal.

Jan 8, 2001 | 02:00 PM

MikTip

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Used, try 1-800-ALLAUDI, there in NY.

Jan 9, 2001 | 12:15 AM

SteveAngry

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Re: I fixed on once, but it did not last...........

I would not suggest used IMHO...

Plastic ones are not always so bad...the one you had in your 89 100 lasted 12years! That's pretty good for a radiator. The problem with plastic ones is the constant stress being put on your radiatior neck due to the upper radiator hose being too tight. This coupled with worn/bad motor mounts make the engine move during acceleration which stresses the radiator neck via the upper hose...then snap...make sense?

The metal ones made by Modine are supposed to be good too...just really heavy. Stay away from the cheap brass aftermarket ones. They are crap...

Also you can save big money doing the job yourself...not very complicated