what's the difference between a radiator with aircon and one without..

[Jasikasisback]

Hello and Happy New Year..

My radiator has a very small leak that tends to leak a lot if I park the car downhill with the front end slanting downhill...so I will have to replace the rad as I can see it is leaking at the corner  (i think it is the rad so will just replace it.)

I do not have aircon in my car and am wondering if a radiator made for aircon can be fitted or is this a big no no...

Also I have an automatic and it looks like on vagcat these have a different part number..

So the questions are as such...

1) can I fit a radiator from a manual car and it will do the job?
2) can I fit a radiator made for aircon and what do I have to do differently (plug the hole for the aircon??)
2) can I fit a radiator from a diesel or VR6 as they seem to be more plentiful in the used parts market...(along with fans and slam panel)

Lots of questions for the first day of the year...

Cheers!

[VW BUSH]

I would assume (not being familiar with Auto golfs) that the Auto rad has provision for cooling the gearbox oil.
Is it you that had a water in your box ( )? did you get it sorted?
Air con has a thin rad which sits  parallel with the main rad and twin fans.
Looking at Vag cat 8v/16v use the same rad set up for Ac and non Ac models what code are you?

[Jasikasisback]

The rad cooler hoses go to the engine block and coolant reservoir and it looks like the radiator hoses are the same? setup as in a manual?I've taken some pictures with flickr so you can take a look. No wonder the gearbox oil runs so hot in these cars...interesting setup....

[Jasikasisback]

Here's the link...it's the first few pictures....#

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67897318@N06/

[Len]

Answers

1 = probably as they look the same

2 = NO!

3 = The diesel yes well I think so as most of the diesel connections are the same as a 16v