Hey
Im about to replace my radiator as the one in there as pretty knackered :lol: As im revising for my Gcses its a bit of a bad time fo r me to replace it but it needs to be done before 15th June. how long should it take to do, and do i need any specialist tools? how do you do it? i can probably work it out does it just unbolt etc? Do i need to bleed anything or not?
Kind Regards
Sam
How long... a couple of hours at the most.
Specialist tools... not really, just a viscous fan spanner.
How you do it...
Lift the bonnet off completly for a better view (and so the bonnet support isn't in the way)
Remove the viscous fan (left hand thread - opposite to normal!!) - although yours might not be a viscous unit - and you may have to remove it when you remove the cowl.
Or thinking about it, on an NA you can leave the fan it place, as the cowl is in 3 parts.
Drain the cooling circuit. Easiest way is to pull the bottom hose off the water pump (or bottom of the rad - also remove the header tank cap)
Remove the top coolant hose.
Undo the oil cooler pipes if fitted (don't think you'll have these)
Remove the fan cowling.
Undo and remove the top radiator mounts
Lift the old radiator out.
Fit new one (don't damage it putting it in) and then simply reverse the above instructions.....
Then refill the cooling system with water/antifreeze mix (50/50). Ideally back fill from the radiator first (remove the cap on the top of the rad - if fitted) then fill the header tank etc etc.
Run the engine with the heater on full/hot and make sure it warms up.
Refit the header tank cap etc etc....
And away you go.
(this is only a brief guide)
Or if your pushed for time.... i'll do it for you
Ian
