Radiator removal question. (The timing fix continues)

[buelldozer]

Everything is stripped out of the way and the coolant is drained. I'm ready to tilt the radiator out of the way but I have an upper and lower metal tube attached on both sides of the radiator.

I'm sure the drivers side ones attach to the A/C rad since they connect at the front but the passenger side ones seem to bolt to the coolant rad as they're on the back.

Are the passenger side tubes that appear to bolt into the coolant rad safe to unbolt and remove?

BTW that one bolt on the underside of the bumper was a nice touch, way to bury a bolt under metal tubes you shouldn't disconnect Audi!

[Allowencer]

Those 2 pipes on the passenger side are more than likely your transmission lines. You have an auto trans right? If they go into the radiator, then it's them for sure. If you want to take a pic and post for 110% verification, feel free to.

The A/C condensing unit (not a radiator) can be swung 90* clockwise away from the front of the motor safely.

Which bolt are you referring to? The 2 nuts for the bumper guide rails?

[van462]

Sounds like you have an Auto transmission. Those are the oil lines for the transmission cooler. There is a support bracket just in front of the oil pan and disconnects on the bottom. If you open the lines here have a plan to cap or baggy them off as you will be losing transmission fluid. The entire radiator core can be left on the lock carrier and be removed as a assembly (to include the headlights if you are willing to deal with the extra weight). Once the A/C condenser is out of the way most of the lock carrier can just come off. If you have the long threaded shafts to screw back into the top holes of the crash bumper support then you slide the whole thing back supported on the rods.

[buelldozer]

Whoops, sorry, yes Auto trans. Makes sense that they're trans lines since Allowencer didn't have them. (Lucky SOB with his manual.)

Question is how do I clear this up so I can rotate the rad assembly over? It doesn't appear that I can do it with them connected as they, so is it better to undo them at the radiator or underneath at the oil pan?

FWIW I plan to rotate mine 90 degrees to the right and strap it like Allowencer did. The whole front is stripped at this point including the headlights and actual bumper.

[van462]

Follow his write up for removing the condenser. Mine was able to rotate and lay out of the way just in front of the driver front tire. This also brings the lines down below the lock carrier. The radiator/fan/transcooler can be then removed separately or while still attached to the lock carrier. The must undo connections are the hood latch cable and hood switch connector, coolant feed and return lines plus overflow tank, fan connector, transmission cooler lines, headlight connectors if headlights not removed yet. Unclip the homelink and air temp harness and move back into the engine bay.

[buelldozer]

Thanks gentleman, I'll get into it again tomorrow night. I'm done for this evening.

[Allowencer]

To ensure we are talking the same thing / on the same page:

- You only want to rotate the A/C condensing unit; not the [coolant] radiator
- You want to remove the [coolant] radiator from the car

Like van suggested, it can be removed with the lock carrier, but it weights more. In addition, more probably to nail something with all that weight while you're trying to balance it and remove it out of your weight. It's only a few extra steps to remove each piece by piece and well worth the piece of mind.

[buelldozer]

I'm basically here except that I've already removed the crash bar / bumper and intercooler and air intake: https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7178/2...7e630fd8_k.jpg

All that's left on the front is the lock carrier and radiators. I DO want to move the radiators and remove the lock carrier. I want to end up exactly like this:

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7725/2...df1a11fb_k.jpg

Anyway, I originally missed this part of your DIY (unless you added it overnight you sneaky devil): If you have an Automatic transmission, there are 2 trans lines that run into the radiator. There’s a bolt for each line, remove each bolt and then disconnect the line from the radiator (transmission fluid will drain out). Secure the lines upwards to prevent further draining and cover the lines with something (tape, cups, etc.) to avoid any debris potentially entering the open line.

If I'd seen that part last night this thread wouldn't have been necessary.

[Allowencer]

No 'plural' in radiators bud lol. Single radiator and a condensing unit. Big difference

You do 'not' want to remove the condensing unit from the car; you want to swing it out of the way. Removing it / disconnecting the lines to it will release the refrigerant charge; not wise.

Nope, didn't add that part in recently, been there since the beginning. I knew they where there based on the service manual I have. That's what I added it into the DIY for all of you automatic trans owners.