A6 Radiator removel, air con question.

Newbie Joined: Nov 23, 2012 Posts: 7

Hi, my 1999 1.8 turbo A6 se has a duff water pump and I need to get to it by removing both of the radiators.
I have got it to the point where the connections to the air con radiator need to be removed, however before I do, I thought I'd best ask what it's filled with? I'm guessing it isn't water, right?

I don't use air con, do you see any problem with leaving it drained?

I need to get this back on the road asap, so a rapid reply would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

Newbie Joined: Nov 23, 2012 Posts: 7

After reading other forum entries on air con and rads etc, I'm a bit confused.

One entry states oil is used as a coolant for the aircon, but another states a second radiator is for water (heavy work with towing, turbo, aircon).

So if I take the rad hoses off what will drop out of it?

Cheers.

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:12 pm

If you have aircon, you have in effect 2 radiators. the thin one in front is connected to the aircon system with rigid aluminium pipework and thick semi-flexible hoses. The bigger radiator immediately behind that is connected to the engine in a conventional manner.

In the aircon system should be R134a refrigerant, this is a gas or liquid depending on the pressure and temperature.

In the engine and cooling radiator should be regular antifreeze (G12 I think - the pinky stuff).

Is is safe to drain the engine coolant. Attempting to drain the aircon coolant will result is it all just flashing off as a gas.

You may get a more detailed response from the other A6 forum on this site, this one deals with pre '98 models