145,000 miles on my T5 wagon
Just finished replacing the radiator on my T5 - this is the first time I have been led astray by the simple instructions from Alldata DIY (web based service manuals)
Moderate leak from RHS of radiator low down - note that the under engine pan pools coolant that drips so location of drip does not always correspond to location of radiator hole
The cooling group "sandwich" in the front of the car has three components - A/C condenser, intercooler for HP turbo, and radiator.
I found it much easier to electrical disconnect, hose disconnect (I cut since I was replacing) then remove two M10 (13mm head) bolts that allow the entire assembly to drop below car (Car on ramps)
From here, the fan housing and fan can be removed (very nasty Torx screws into plastic), then the M6 (10mm) screws holding the condenser, intercooler, and radiator can be removed from each corner of the sandwich. Its much easier below than trying to get these out in the very limited space with the radiator in position in the car.
Elapsed time - 3 hours to drain and remove, 3 to replace.
I used an exact OEM replacement which was 180 USD - it did have the brass ports for the transmission cooler which I did not use on the T5 stick
The Alldata DIY told me to remove the turbo cooler lines too - these did not attach to my radiator so I skipped that step. On my car, these lines come off the coolant hose right below the overflow reservoir.
New radiator, filters, oil change and she is purring like new again...
On edit - corrected A/C evaporator to condensor in post
