Radiator Replacement - how easy ?

Post by **ELVIS** » 11 Oct 2007, 19:20

have done the whole wiki/search thing but nowt covering procedure!
Nowt in bentleys either

all ive seen is " its really easy" someone give me a basic 'how to' ? sure it will be obvious once i get started !

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:02

Not done it, but I guess it will come down to bolt corrosion.

Post by **ELVIS** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:08

Hacksawbob wrote:Not done it, but I guess it will come down to bolt corrosion.

and hurricanes and floods and lightning strikes and nuclear winters and.........................

anyone who has done it got any advice ?

Post by **HarryMann** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:28

have done the whole wiki/search thing but nowt covering procedure!

No, but there is something in the Wiki, though only put it in a few months ago, it's here... under Diesel/Cooling

http://wiki.80-90.co.uk/index.php/Coola ... w_radiator

No serious bolt corrosion issues, maybe one was a bit difficult and worried me for a second or two..

As usual, before starting a job, have a good look around at what's involved and even try loosening the bolts and in this case checking the consition of other parts involved, so you can get them ordered 'before the crisis'..

The bottom bracket setscrews are the ones, they should come out if you use a good socket or ring on them and 'commit' to them first time out. Then the top is just slotted in.

Rest is pretty easy if you have plenty of time - like all jobs if you want to do it 'bish, bosh, bash' something will go wrong... think it through first. e.g. check for incipient hose and pipe leaks, condition of clamps and clips and make sure you have these sorted, slightly loosen and pre-lube anything that has to come apart, a quick wire brush and clean-up before attempting to remove something.

As you'll see when you read the Wiki item, is that I hadn't reckoned on a new rad being somehwat different in design as far as allowing the cowling to seat nicely - but with a bit of time, turned it to my advantage I suppose.
Take the opportunity to clean the fan terminals and coat with No-Crode or similar, ditto, thermoswitch wiring.

Good luck. Might be best to drain the WHOLE cooling systen and refill with new 50/50 mix, although you can easily tie the hoses up high enough to prevent a flood of coolant (I always seem to have more trouble fully sraining T25 than re-filling and bleeding, which seems fairly easy).

PS. Also a good time to take a look at the heater valve, and cable connections, ensuring it turns off and on fully and has no leaks, ditto I also removed and washed out the windscreen washer bottle (Ugh stuff inside it) and replace rubber seal etc.

Post by **ELVIS** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:32

HarryMann wrote:Wrong! There is something in the Wiki, though only put it in a few months ago, it's here... under Diesel/Cooling

am i going mad then ? i found the link you posted but nothing covering the removal procedure like i requested ? am i going bonkers ?

Post by **kevtherev** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:32

ELVIS wrote: but nowt covering procedure!
Nowt in bentleys either

Proceedure is in the Haynes for radiator removal...Chapter 3 section3...haynes rates it at simple

it has pictures and everything

remove the grills

remove the wiring harness

remove the spare

disconnect the hoses at the bottom of the rad

two bolts from the lower brackets.(while somebody supports the rad)

lower away!

Post by **HarryMann** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:33

Just edited my post Elvis...

while you were posting above, having re-read the original. Basically, it's a three bolt and two clamp operation... but I'll copy what I've just written above in there and maybe link to it from elsewhere.

the important point (and why I made that entry) is that the new rad may not fit the cowling particularly well, if an 'A' Part No rad (also 'E', heavy duty, maybe they haven't changed, but understand they are not UK stocked).

Post by **ELVIS** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:38

cheers kev ! (and harry) harry - did i sit next to you on a national express coach once ?

Post by **HarryMann** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:46

I doubt it...

remind me... from where to where.

Post by **ELVIS** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:49

sittingborne to liverpool , the bloke who used 10,000 words when a simple "is anyone sitting there?" would have done

just joshing , cheers fella

Post by **kevtherev** » 11 Oct 2007, 20:58

Post by **HarryMann** » 11 Oct 2007, 21:52

That's how Wikis are built... even as we speak its all in there now

Post by **trickydicky** » 12 Oct 2007, 07:25

Done it, the rad is heavy so it is generally best to have a second or third pair of hands to put it back in!

Post by **HarryMann** » 12 Oct 2007, 07:34

Yup, 'ts, I used a small trolley jack..

Post by **ELVIS** » 12 Oct 2007, 20:29

your joking right ? got mine today - i can very easily pick it up with one hand, in the box ,gripping the box from above !!! maybe the box is empty

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Radiator Replacement - how easy ?

Radiator Replacement - how easy ?

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