I hit a badger on Friday night 10pm in the middle of nowhere en route to Aviemore. Or rather the badger hit me. Well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. We need more green cross code adverts for badgers. Anyway 10 seconds later, “Boing” “Coolant low”. In red, just in case there was any doubt.

I managed to continue a few miles before the temperature gauge went mad so I stopped at a house with a light on for a fill of water. By this time, I only had about 3 miles to destination. Managed to destination with temperature gauge just starting to go mad.

The odd thing is that the radiator is in the middle, but the leak was at Lh corner where badger hit.

I’ve never taken a front bumper off before, but it wasn’t that difficult once I’d removed the front wheels. I did see a YouTube of a chap doing it with wheels in situ, but that seemed too difficult.
It transpires there is an auxiliary cooling radiator low down behind LH headlight area. And in front of that, a plastic structure that ducts air onto the rad. This had shattered and punctured the radiator in several places. The actual plastic bumper wasn’t too badly damaged, a split low down just in front of the wheel.

Saturday morning in the Highlands of Scotland - not a great place to get VW group spares. There is no TPS in Inverness. TPS in Aberdeen said they wouldn’t be able to order it until Tuesday (due to bank holiday) so they would get it Wednesday. So in the mean time, aux radiator removed, bit of 22mm copper pipe inserted in hoses to short circuit it. Apparently the aux cooling radiator is added to cars with auto gearboxes but hopefully if I take it gently it will be fine. Now I have to drive 40 miles to Inverness to get the right antifreeze. Hopefully it won’t drain its coolant all over the A9!

 

Just when you think the job list is shrinking, there’s always something else coming along!

Boolocks…🙄 Can the rad be repaired? 

That's the DSG radiator that comes with the 280 AWD Superb.

I think u also get that if u have factory fitted tow bar.

 

Otherwise that's where the headlight & windscreen washer bottle sits, like mine....

I hit one once and killed it, I had to move it and it (a male) must have weighed about 15-20kg. all muscle.

Company 4x4 Ute luckily, Took out the wing and bull bar.

6 hours ago, numskull said:

Boolocks…🙄 Can the rad be repaired? 

Well possibly, but new rad is £189+ vat which is not too bad.

 

Edited 30 April, 20233 yr by nicknorman

3 hours ago, JR RS said:

That's the DSG radiator that comes with the 280 AWD Superb.

I think u also get that if u have factory fitted tow bar.

 

Otherwise that's where the headlight & windscreen washer bottle sits, like mine....

Yes on the 280 the washer bottle is the other side, and behind the wheel. And smaller I think, as it needs to be topped up regularly.

7 hours ago, nicknorman said:

Yes on the 280 the washer bottle is the other side, and behind the wheel. And smaller I think, as it needs to be topped up regularly.

 

Yup, aware of that 🙂

 

I wonder how much smaller it is though on the AWD versions?

 

Mine is 5.7L tank.

Dunno how small it is compared to the 2WD, but it’s not very big and runs out quickly, that’s for sure. 

19 hours ago, numskull said:

Dunno how small it is compared to the 2WD, but it’s not very big and runs out quickly, that’s for sure. 

Interesting you say that! SInce I've had the 280 I seem to be forever topping up the washer bottle when I'm sure I only did it a couple of times a year in my Octy II 4x4. 

 

Its also good to know all 280s have a DSG cooler as I tow regularly. I'd read about them but wasn't sure if I'd have one as my 280 had an aftermarket towbar fitted and didn't have factory prep. 

 

God news the replacement rad isnt too expensive in the grand scheme of things.