Faye Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Keith's radiator (UK6sp) has decided to go to the big radiator in the sky this morning. We'd already got a radiator on order, but were going to get someone to fit it for us, however things need sorting out a little more imminently. So my question is, should one reasonably technically minded person and one willing dogsbody be attempting to fit the new rad themselves and how long roughly should it take? Is there anything particularly tricky that we should look out for? Ta in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 It's easy enough for me to do it on my own That should be enough for you to know you can do it. (Explanation on it's way) You'll need 2-3 tubs of 4-life (I'd have 3 so that I can fling some about the engine bay in my usual style) Jack the front up (using a trolley jack and/or both scissor jacks), and put a couple of blocks underneath to protect incase of jack collapse. Remove the under tray. Now you really should save and dispose of safely the old coolant...so get something like an old washing up bowl and position it under the lower rad hose... Beautiful assistant now undoes the rad cap. Grunt under car now uses pliers to get the clamp off the lower rad hose and then twists and pulls the hose off. Water flys out in all directions soaking the unlucky fool under the car but also hopefully landing in the bucket... Allow to drain, assistant brings cup of tea. Once drained. You can do either of two things. Go for a full flush (I'm sure there are instructions on that) or just swap the rads..... To swap the rads, unbolt the lower portion of the fan shroud and disconnect any electric fans. Take off the top rad hose and unbolt the two rad clamps. The rad should be free now unless I've forgotten something that's going to be obvious. Pull the rad out straight up. Cup Of Tea Unbolt the rest of the shroud away from the car and bolt it onto the new one...reverse above process. Cup Of Tea Best to fill the rad up once down off the jacks. to remove air locks I would recommend mainly filling through the Rad cap and then finishing off through the rear hoses. Cup Of Tea Start car, full heater on...warm her up and no doubt you'll hear some airlocks in there....rad level may go down - don't undo the cap till it's cooled a bit otherwise if it's still pressurised from heat it will fire everywhere! (And burn you) Cup Of Tea Hope the helps - it's not too involved as you can see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra100 Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 There's about 30 minutes work in changing the rad. I'm no mechanic but done at weekend in that time. Even if it takes you an hour is saves paying someone. Pretty straightforward if your methodical. Basically just held down by battery clamps which take seconds to remove. Disconnect small fan or even remove, remove lower viscous fan shroud, drain off, remove a couple of hoses and bobs yer uncle, lift up and out. Reverse order and back together........ sounds easy and it is....... good luck:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Or follow the more concise version....which will be far faster than my waffle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye Posted February 21, 2006 Author Share Posted February 21, 2006 Thats great thanks chaps. PS: I'll get Keith to make the tea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_have Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 It's easy enough for me to do it on my own That should be enough for you to know you can do it. (Explanation on it's way) You'll need 2-3 tubs of 4-life (I'd have 3 so that I can fling some about the engine bay in my usual style) Jack the front up (using a trolley jack and/or both scissor jacks), and put a couple of blocks underneath to protect incase of jack collapse. Remove the under tray. Now you really should save and dispose of safely the old coolant...so get something like an old washing up bowl and position it under the lower rad hose... Beautiful assistant now undoes the rad cap. Grunt under car now uses pliers to get the clamp off the lower rad hose and then twists and pulls the hose off. Water flys out in all directions soaking the unlucky fool under the car but also hopefully landing in the bucket... Allow to drain, assistant brings cup of tea. Once drained. Youce do two things go for a full flush (I'm sure there are instructions on that) or just swap the rads..... To swap the rads, unbolt the lower portion of the fan shroud and disconnect any electric fans. Take off the top rad hose and unbolt the two rad clamps. The rad should be free now unless I've forgotten something that's going to be obvious. Pull the rad out straight up. Cup Of Tea Unbolt the rest of the shroud away from the car and bolt it onto the new one...reverse above process. Cup Of Tea Best to fill the rad up once down off the jacks. to remove air locks I would recommend mainly filling through the Rad cap and then finishing off through the rear hoses. Cup Of Tea Start car, full heater on...warm her up and no doubt you'll hear some airlocks in there....rad level may go down - don't undo the cap till it's cooled a bit otherwise if it's still pressurised from heat it will fire everywhere! (And burn you) Cup Of Tea Hope the helps - it's not too involved as you can see. Can't believe you didn't have one piss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith C Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 What's a quick and easy way to test the aircon fans still work? Thinking I might as well check they're alright while I have the lot off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith C Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 You'll need 2-3 tubs of 4-life (I'd have 3 so that I can fling some about the engine bay in my usual style) Is that 5l tubs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soonto_HAS_soop Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 What's a quick and easy way to test the aircon fans still work? Thinking I might as well check they're alright while I have the lot off. Pull the plug to the switch on the radiator (when its still together and with the ignition on) and it should start the fans. I'm also pretty sure that if you have the ignition on, and pull the connector to the pressure sensor for the AC system (up by the ABS pump/Passenger strut tower) then the fans will also start to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Is that 5l tubs? Yes Should only need ~9 for a full flush... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye Posted February 26, 2006 Author Share Posted February 26, 2006 One very chilly afternoon out in the cold and we did it No problems at all, the worst that happened is one sheared screw/bolt from the undertray. Pulling the rad out was funny, the amount of dead leaves and cigarette butts was impressive, no wonder the old girl decided she wanted a new one- she just fancied a clean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Glad it all went well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now