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**Mark S.** · December 29th 05, 11:19 PM posted to uk.rec.cars.vw.watercooled

On 29 Dec 2005 09:21:06 -0800, wrote:

Hi,
I have a 96 Golf 1.8 GL that we bought 5 months ago. Everything has
been going ok until recently when the radiator started leaking
(dripping and steaming). I've managed to slow things down a little by
using some of that stuff that I know you're not supposed to use ( stop
leak stuff). It seems the bottom of the radiator has corroded and some
of the cooling fins are 'soft' to touch. - exposure to salt etc - the
rest of the radiator looks good.
I got a shock at the quote of replacement with a genuine radiator
(£120) and labour (£200) at the vw dealers near by in london. I also
tried a local garage who quoted £160 for the labour. They said that
with these Golfs you need to remove the front grill etc to replace the
radiator which takes extra time.

Has anyone had experience with replacing radiators on 96 Golfs? Is it
hard to do for someone (me) who can manage to change the oil and oil
filter?

Appreciate any help or guidance.

Cheers
Brad

Not a difficult job at all. Certainly not at £160.00 worth.

Ooo removing the front grill, that'll be half a dozen extra screws and
a few clips. :-)

If you don't have one get a Haynes manual or when no ones looking in
Halfords take the sellophane off one (not that I'd suggest doing that)
;-) There's usually quite a few to buy on Ebay as well.

Mark S.