Jason89s4

You should really heed the advice of Mrmerlin. You do not need to take out the hard line that runs a loop under the radiator. They are low pressure lines and you can cut off the ends (with a dremel or similar tool) and then attach proper new rubber hose to the line ends with quality clamps. I've done this job. Just remove some items to give you clearance--the reservoir and maybe move the coil if I recall. It can be done in the car.
Your issue discussed around post #10 of this. https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...placement.html

Also, I don't know about the others, but I'm confused..... was the picture in the original post of the line running by the starter along the cross member a picture of your car? If not, what is it?
Jason

chamilka

discard that picture, apparently it is from a LHS car.

The Forgotten On

I just finished replacing that line, along with all the others in my 89. Mine is LHD so you will have a difference experience.

The real trick to getting at them is to not have the radiator cooling flaps in place. If they are there you wont even be able to see them so you would need to take off the front bumper,

then the flaps, then the drivers side wheel well liners, 1 screw near the headlight, the fans, the trans cooler, the radiator, the screw near the rad mount for the air guide (what you had to take the liners out for) to take the guide out.

Then you have to take out the two top mount screws for the condenser so you can bend it back enough to get that hard line in and out. Otherwise it's a piece of cake

I highly recommend you do what Mrmerlin says instead. I had to replace mine only because a Po's shop bodged the job and damaged the hardline causing it to leak.

chamilka

Blake
If the bumper is out, would you be able remove the lines without having to remove the radiator? No right?

The Forgotten On

You still have to take out the radiator because the hard lines run right next to it and there is no way with the way it is bent to sneak it by. It is easier to install with the bumper cover off, but not by much.

mike77

I've removed the radiator from my S4 and it was a pretty easy job. Only thing I would be worried about would be damaging it as they're now very expensive to replace.

But if as others have pointed out, you don't need to replace that line then why bother?

chamilka

Thanks all for your support, really appropriate all your wisdom.
FYI- There was a third Rubber clamp similar to the two on the lower radiator support. I have attached few pictures. May be some cars/years came with it and some did't?

chamilka

My radiator looks pretty nice, in pristine condition, I will post some pictures later.

mike77

I might be wrong but it looks like someone has already crimped a new hose on to that line.

DuncanF

Now that you're showing the pictures I think I had the same in my 87 S4. Mine was, however, covered in dirt and leaked power steering fluid though.

Am I right in thinking that this cooling loop was only fitted to the later cars?

chamilka

No this is factory, There is factory welded metal screw just like the other two.

ROG100

The cooler loop in front of the radiator is fitted on all cars 87 to 95 - LHD & RHD.
The picture in Post #22 is an original factory hose with the rubber hose end.

The Forgotten On

One thing I noticed when I had that line sitting around for a while is that the mid hose clamp on the rubber part of the line holds a restricter in place.

Did anyone else notice this and will removing the restrictor have any adverse effects?

chamilka

There are several post reading that here in Rennlist, I am leaving it as it is .