[ainarssems]

Changed radiator on A6 last year and A8 I think is pretty much the same. Pipes just pull out of radiator. Lost just a little bit of oil. I lifted the ends of oil lines up as soon as pulled them out to prevent leak so only lost whatever was in the radiator. Then when refitting put in bottom line, filled radiator with with oil using big syringe through the top opening and forced about 100ml towards gearbox in the top line, then fitted top line to radiator.

The biggest issue was to get the right radiator. First went to local Eurocarparts, after giving all the details they insisted there was no radiator with integrated gearbox cooler for manual gearbox cars, after lot of looking around they found the 'right' one for about £90 some unknown make name. Took it home, put in the car turned out top coolant pipe connector was 0.5mm smaller diameter so it was leaking there as it is push fit plastic hose end with o-ring in there. Took it back, the only other one they could offer was Hella made for £300 special order not returnable. So I took my money back and went to local Car Parts Direct. They said they had one on the shelf, I opened box while in the shop to check - pipe connectors were both on one side, I needed them to be on opposite corners. They said they could get correct one next day. So come back next day open the box in the shop, coolant hoses on the right corners but no integrated gearbox cooler. Come again next day check the contents again- coolant hoses in the right places, integrated gearbox cooler so far so good . Take out caliper to measure pipe connectors- it's 0.5mm smaller diameter again like the one Eurocarparts supplied so no sale. All of these they offered were £70-100 range. I give up, 4 days time wasted so go on e-bay.de find the one with the pictures and technical drawings with all correct measurements. £80 and 3 days later DHL turns up with right radiator that finally fits. I don't remember the make but I checked it at the time and they supply many of OEM radiators for manufacturers as well.