Well, two years ago my radiator developed a crack in the top. So I figured when I had money I would fix the problem and replaced the radiator. That turned into two years of baby sitting it. I went to go weld it to find out it is fiberglass. So then I tried some stuff called liquid metal that didn't work at all. So there I sat. Checking it daily with tons of suguestions. Well three to four weeks away from getting a radiator I put some JB weld on it. Problem solved. I went back tonight and put a little more on spots that looked weak. I'm still looking at a radiator replace though. The whole top is developing stress cracks. I read that 100,000 miles + was about average radiator life in the 16v units. I'm at 200,000+

Later,

Josh

Yeah, JB weld is right up there on the list of things you have to have in your garage, along with duct tape, PB Blaster, and a refridgerator

I see em on eBay for next to nothing once in a while

Get a good stock unit, I bought
a replacement and was disappointed
when it started to open up where the
metal was crimped to the tanks  

If it was a brass core it would of been
OK me thinks, as brass is a little stronger
than aluminum, I got the aluminum core
because it cools better and I have the turbo

I could check on a new brass radiator if you
want, it still has the plastic tanks I think, I
remember they were about $100-120 a few
years ago.  I think I could get the brass cores
and have brass tanks put on, then the radiators
would last forever with proper care and service

Wild