Help in relation to leaking radiator

[kahusamuraijoe]

Hi everyone. I have a passat 2012 v6 wagon and just discovered a leak in the radiator. My question is this. To get the radiator out in these cars, do i have to remove the front bumper. Appreciate your help. Looked online and here for any instructions but could not find any.

Regards
Joe

[Passat my07]

I’m fairly sure you do.
I did my b6 and had to remove the bumper anyway for headlight globes. Once the bumper was off I moved the radiator support forward to get the radiator out.
It was also difficult to bleed the air out after it was back together.
I did it after work one night so it wasn’t a whole day or anything.

[kahusamuraijoe]

Thanks for that, i thought so just wanted to make sure. Thanks again.

[MIG]

There are some pictures in my gallery from when I redid my cooling system, bumper comes off and the front carrier can be locked into the service position, while your there check for leaks at the thermostat hosing where it enters the block.

Passat Upgrades - Google Photos


Also do yourself a favor and buy a vacuum bleeder, as Passat my07 said bleeding air is difficult (without the right tool)

[kahusamuraijoe]

Thanks for the reply MIG. I was thinking to do it myself but it seems lime a big job, maybe i'll ring the mechanic and get a quote and also do the water pump and hoses and upgrade some of those plastic parts as well. I 'll let you guys know how much it all cost. Thanks for the help guys much appreciated.

[kahusamuraijoe]

Well after some hesitation, decided to do it myself because i am a sucker for punishment. In all honesty it took me less than 2 hours, not as bad as i thought. Also broken radiator support needs changing now i time to chase part. Also thanks MIG i bought a coolant system purge tool. Thanks again now just need to get parts and put it back together again.

[MIG]

Great work, it gets easier each time you put the car in the service position
Best of luck with the reinstall.

[kahusamuraijoe]

Thanks mate. Now i am thinking i might do hoses and waterpump as well or atleast hoses any place i can get them form other than vw

[Passat my07]

If you’re doing the water pump I’d do the belt, tensioner and rollers too. That’s how I did it.
You can get parts from places like European auto imports, Welch, unique auto parts, Sanwood trading,Repco (they’re linked to Welch).
Just make sure they’re quoting on ok brands.
A vac bleeder will definitely help.

[kahusamuraijoe]

coo,, thanks that's what i was thinking that too. I didn't think to try repco.

[MIG]

Here are some of bits I did, the hoses themselves seemed ok but everything plastic was starting to get brittle.

03H121145A + 03H121041B (guess the one piece I did not touch, and now is leaking)

03H121117B - There are metal ones, but the one I got was machined poorly, ymmv
03H121121D
03H121113E
WHT005190 - This is the big o-ring that leaks at the block.
03H121133

If you would like a full list, let me know. I will put a spreadsheet together.

[kahusamuraijoe]

I am all out of luck. On a good note the radiator is fixed no more leaks. Now my EPS warning light is on and i am getting PO304 Cylinder 4 misfire detected . This car is going to make an enthusiast out of me.

[MIG]

I am all out of luck. On a good note the radiator is fixed no more leaks. Now my EPS warning light is on and i am getting PO304 Cylinder 4 misfire detected . This car is going to make an enthusiast out of me.

Oh man that sucks, hope it's just a coilpack wire and the EPS is just the steering calibration, let me know I have some more advanced diag stuff if you need help.