It appears the radiator on my Mk3 has started to leak. Over the past week, it's been leaving some small drip marks on the drive, and putting your hand under the bumper reveals a wet cross member. It's difficult to say for sure where it's coming from (looks like the bottom corner where the hose is) but i'm thinking replacement is the safest option. I don't think it's the hose itself as this looked secure, whereas the ends of the rad, at either end of the matrix, were quite rusty.

Is changing it as easy as it looks? Haynes make it sound easy but have given it a spanner rating of 3?

Also i'd like to use VW's own coolant, G12+, as this should save me having to change it every 2 years. G12 plus can be used in mine as long as the system is flushed first, can't it? I know G12 is totally incompatible with any other forms of coolant, but g12+ is supposed not to react?

It is an absolute piece of cake:

- Remove the black plastic tool tray

- Remove the top and bottom hoses from the radiator, at the same time obviously you will drain the coolant

- Unplug the electric fan plug and also the fan switch plug from the side of the radiator

- Locate the two M6 (10mm head) bolts that go through captive nuts in the slam panel - these locate in rubber cones on the top of the radiator - undo them carefully, they may be corroded so some gentle persuasion may be required - if they shear then its not all bad but can be a pain.

- Once they're about halfway out the radiator will come loose at the top - gently lift it out towards the rear of the car, the two locating lugs will come clear from the lower crossmember. There should be two rubber grommets on the bottom of these lugs to stop vibration, make sure you don't lose them.

- There is enough clearance between the exhaust manifold and slam panel to remove the radiator and fan completely.

- Once you've got the rad out, undo the four 10mm head bolts that hold the fan cowling on, swap the whole unit to the new radiator. Fit the fan switch with a tiny bit of hylomar on the thread to be sure of a good seal. Be careful when tightening the cowling and switch because the radiator is only plastic and you don't want to strip the threads.

Re-fitting is the reverse of removal - it really is very easy.

As for the G12+ - I've heard its more compatible - however I use a different form of coolant which is cheaper and I've never had an issue with it - its the Halfords Advanced Anti-Freeze - if you have a trade card its about £11 for 5 litres, which diluted at 50/50 gives you plenty to spare.

However obviously you want to use G12+ - so yeah, flush the system while the rad is out. You can reverse flush it using a hosepipe, making sure the heater is on the hot position.

Hope that helps!

You type fast!

That sure does help. I had a feeling it was that easy, just want confirmation I guess.

The hardest bit I found was putting the new one in without bashing it on something and breaking it to

The hardest bit I found was putting the new one in without bashing it on something and breaking it to

Good point. I'll probably cover the front with a sheet of cardboard (probably from the box it came in) while i lower it in. The fins are more fragile than I thought, I bent a few on the existing one when fitting a bigger horn.

I take it this is the normal lifespan for a Polo radiator then (15yrs or so)?

I took the bumper and grille off mine so I could get my hands in a lot better. Its not like taking the front bumper and grille off is a big task!

I changed mine last week, along with the sensors took me about 40 minutes including flushing the system and having a cheese toasty.