Changing the radiator today... Any sugestions?
08-26-2002, 01:01 PM
#1
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Changing the radiator today... Any sugestions?
Ok, I am making the attempt to change the radiator today, does anyone have have some helpful hints? I have been told that it is not really a hard process, but still it is always best to check with those that have done it before.
08-26-2002, 01:14 PM
#2
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Check that the little drain plug (lower left hand corner, back side) is free to move on the new one. If I was installing a new radiator, I'd put just a _tiny_ dab of silicone grease on the threads & O-ring. Despite being plastic on plastic, these things seem to sieze up awfully easily.
Otherwise, no tips except brush up on your bleeding process.
Jim, back to the lab...
Otherwise, no tips except brush up on your bleeding process.
Jim, back to the lab...
08-26-2002, 01:16 PM
#3
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1: It comes out the bottom
2: The Oil Cooler comes off, it's the little thing bolted to the passenger side of the radiator.
3: Take the fans off first
4: Don't forget to put the rubber mounts under the new radiator (ask me how I know)
5: When finished BLEEEEEEEDDDDDD the system!!! (Ask me how i know).
6: Don't put your tools in your mouth, radiator fluid WILL be on them (ask me how I know!)
7: If you do number 6, spit a lot
8: IF you do number 4, **** it, leave them out (ask me how I know!)
If you have more specific questions, just ask.
2: The Oil Cooler comes off, it's the little thing bolted to the passenger side of the radiator.
3: Take the fans off first
4: Don't forget to put the rubber mounts under the new radiator (ask me how I know)
5: When finished BLEEEEEEEDDDDDD the system!!! (Ask me how i know).
6: Don't put your tools in your mouth, radiator fluid WILL be on them (ask me how I know!)
7: If you do number 6, spit a lot
8: IF you do number 4, **** it, leave them out (ask me how I know!)
If you have more specific questions, just ask.
08-26-2002, 01:27 PM
#4
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It’s very simple I just changed mine out with no troubles.
It is simpler to remove the radiator if you drain it first. JK One thing that helped me was to remove the top most hose. It is much easer to get to the fan shroud bolts that way. And yes remove the fans and shroud first then the radiator. The rubber stops on both the top and bottom might pop out when you remove the radiator so keep track of them. Last but not least make sure you use distilled water in the system along with a good anti freeze mix. I use a 50/50 combination but there are endless opinions on the subject/ I would use wetter water from redline I does help.
It will take you about three hours to do the job right and not break anything. Good luck
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
It is simpler to remove the radiator if you drain it first. JK One thing that helped me was to remove the top most hose. It is much easer to get to the fan shroud bolts that way. And yes remove the fans and shroud first then the radiator. The rubber stops on both the top and bottom might pop out when you remove the radiator so keep track of them. Last but not least make sure you use distilled water in the system along with a good anti freeze mix. I use a 50/50 combination but there are endless opinions on the subject/ I would use wetter water from redline I does help.
It will take you about three hours to do the job right and not break anything. Good luck
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
08-26-2002, 02:01 PM
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I found it alot easier to attatch the hoses/clamps to the radiator before installing. As you get the radiator in place just fish the hoses back to there locations. My problem was trying to tighten the clamps once the radiator was in place. There was just not enough room so I dropped it back out. Actually now that I think about it I removed the radiator with the hoses still attached. Also on my replacment radiator, the hose barb fitting ( small diameter hose to the res.) was not the same diameter as the stock one and had to change that out as well. Be carefull when you tighten up the barb and thermo switch. The plastic side tanks will crack if you over tighten and it doesn't take much to crack.
nh3
nh3
08-26-2002, 02:50 PM
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Hey Paul, Running awesome! Took a trip to Little Compton yesterday and got some tire rub on the drivers side while driving down a sand road. While grinding out a section of the wheel well I noticed the stub axle loose. Tightened it up this morning and all is well again. How are you doing? Are you going to Limerock? I'm debating but on of those lovely ships is scheduled to show up this weekend. Just in time for the holiday!
nh3
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08-26-2002, 03:46 PM
#9
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How do you bleed the system?
Does anyone ever have trouble getting the lower hose on? I have bought two new ones and they just won't fit! I had to splice two togther. It works but I don't like it.
My suggestion on the install. Make sure you inspect the upper rubber mounts that the bolts tighten on to hold it in place. Mine were deformed and split on the bottom of them so the bolt would go all the way through. I never noticed before, till it was too late. Everytime you bottom out hard the bolt would go all the way through the rubber and bust the plastic tank.
I am on my third radiator now. The second one was brand new and not even in a week when my wife hit a dip in the road at like 70 and busted both tanks.
Now, this could all be to do with my car, I think it was in a wreck before I got it. It is an 86 and it has a antenna in the glass and on the fender. But it isn't all bent out of wack under it, so I don't know. The lower hose thing stumps me.
Does anyone ever have trouble getting the lower hose on? I have bought two new ones and they just won't fit! I had to splice two togther. It works but I don't like it.
My suggestion on the install. Make sure you inspect the upper rubber mounts that the bolts tighten on to hold it in place. Mine were deformed and split on the bottom of them so the bolt would go all the way through. I never noticed before, till it was too late. Everytime you bottom out hard the bolt would go all the way through the rubber and bust the plastic tank.
I am on my third radiator now. The second one was brand new and not even in a week when my wife hit a dip in the road at like 70 and busted both tanks. Now, this could all be to do with my car, I think it was in a wreck before I got it. It is an 86 and it has a antenna in the glass and on the fender. But it isn't all bent out of wack under it, so I don't know. The lower hose thing stumps me.
08-26-2002, 06:52 PM
#10
Nordschleife Master
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Well the swap is done, it would have only taken 3 hours, but i'm a dope, and one of the clamps for the radiator was in the way of the fans, so i had to take it apart again, and put it back together, so I changed the radiator 1 and 1/2 times today. Yippee what fun, time to fill her up, bleed her, and then a quick hot weather test to see if I got it all right....
Bit by bit I'm going to get this car running right.
Bit by bit I'm going to get this car running right.