AUII fairmont ghia 6 cyl replacing the radiator

[fernsantos]

Hi
I have a new radiator that i want to install in my car.I would like some advice if this is a big job or will i be able to do it myself.What sort of coolant should i use.Should i replace the hoses at the same time the car is 7 years old.Is there any other job i should do while the radiator is out.Any advice on any of these issues will be much appriciated.Can you recommend anyone in the Sydney area to do this job.

[Molloy]

Mate the job is easy as, hardest part would be getting the trans cooler pipes of if its auto and thats still easy, yeah id replace the hoses if need be.

[whiskers]

you can do most work by yourself if you are up to it, and have a bit of knowledge about how things work. If you do get stuck, just ask I'm sure that someone one here will be able to guide you in the right direction there are "how to's" to do most things on your car do a search for what you are after and then go from there.
There is nothing better than saying to yourself after you have finished what you were doing "I done that"

Good going with the radiator.

[Bill M]

Definatly replace the hoses at 7 years. Dont forget to check for leaks especially at the hard to see connection at the waterpump just above the alternator. If you feel the job is beyond your current skill level then maybe better to go to a specialist in your area.
cheers
Bill.

[sly]

Originally Posted by fernsantos

What sort of coolant should i use.

Whatever coolant is specified on the label on the radiator. If there's no label, then whatever colour your current coolant is, but give the system a good flush out to get rid of traces of the old coolant.

Originally Posted by fernsantos

Should i replace the hoses at the same time the car is 7 years old.Is there any other job i should do while the radiator is out.Any advice on any of these issues will be much appriciated.Can you recommend anyone in the Sydney area to do this job.

Definitely do hoses at 7 years. Don't forget the middle radiator hose that goes to the coolant tank. Maybe renew the pressure cap and thermostat as well, and the O ring that seals the heater or bypass pipe below the thermostat housing should be at its use-by date by now.

[fernsantos]

What coolant do you recommend as this is going to be a new radiator

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by fernsantos

What coolant do you recommend as this is going to be a new radiator

some manufacturers recomend their own natrad for example have their own coolant which is of a high standard. Or any major brand as long as it isn't red coolant or premix use one you dilute I like nulon myself. if your hoses are more than about 5 years old replacement is a good idea and if red coolant has been used replacement is a must do. the cooling system must be completly flushed with clean water till none of the old coolant remains ( you should never mix coolants) it is best to do this while the old radiator is still installed as and debris that comes away during the flush will get stuck in the old radiator not the new one. also if you flush with the new one in it will be harder to drain enough water to allow adequate coolant to be added. a final note you should keep a record if the coolant used in your service book if you have one or else somewhere it wont get lost so if you need to top up later you will know what to use. if you loose this info and need a top up you really need to drain and flush again as mixing coolants can cause corosion and a new radiator

[sly]

Originally Posted by fernsantos

What coolant do you recommend as this is going to be a new radiator

My bad, I think the sticker is on the top of the thermo fan assembly. From memory I think for my AU1 it says Ford R1/33 for 6 cyl and R1/50 for V8's. For my wife's AU3 it says R1/50 for all. Just be aware that doing this from memory, I might have my R1/33's and R1/50's back to front.

In any event, the coolant in my AU1 is red and it's green in the AU3. NFI which is supposed to be better.

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by sly

In any event, the coolant in my AU1 is red and it's green in the AU3. NFI which is supposed to be better.

the red coolant is bad news thats why they changed. It stuffs the hoses and in not as effective as the green coolant. avoid it at all costs

[sly]

That might have something to do with the LPG system water hoses failing to seal despite (numerous) new hoses and clamps. It uses more coolant than oil.

Being a member might have just paid for itself...

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by sly

That might have something to do with the LPG system water hoses failing to seal despite (numerous) new hoses and clamps. It uses more coolant than oil.

Being a member might have just paid for itself...

if you are going to change over you need to replace all the hoses pole position a site sponsor have some cool blue silicone ones coming out soon hope this solves your dramas

[fernsantos]

Thanks for the help,installed the new radiator and coolant yesterday.Everything went great.

[redranga]

Red coolant is actually the really good gear. Toyotas use red coolant from the factory.

The issue is when people changed from red to green or green to red and dont properly flush the system to get all of the old coolant out.

Red and green coolant dont mix together. When you drop the hose off you will still see red and green coming out.

So if you are changing colour of the coolant drain and refill the radiator the block and flush the heater out then refill with water and keep on changing it for a few days then add the coolant.

The red and green coolants together can cause a chemical reaction and cause problems. On their own they are both good coolants.

[sly]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

the red coolant is bad news thats why they changed. It stuffs the hoses and in not as effective as the green coolant. avoid it at all costs

Here's my experience to date with the 2 different coolants:

Red - 1999 AU1 318,000km some leaks, one blown top radiator hose at 260,000km was still original. All hoses replaced the following weekend. Some silicone and new clamps seem to have finally got the LPG system water hoses into line.

Green - 2002 AU3 91,000km one leaking welsh plug.

Not sure that I agree with you...

[InfernoSR]

My experience with conditioners asa specialist are varied from car to car. Red is bad... ever seen lack hoses change colour? you only get that with the red long life...

Natra designed and supplied the radiators for every ford until the BA. Ford went against Natra's design and used their own conditioners that weren't recommended by Natra. A Ethylene glycol based conditioner should always be used... do not get a long life, do not mix brands or even batches, do not put to much or to little in the system (to much and it can turn to gel... and are a to clean rod out).

Radiator changing isnt a huge problem... do the hoses, thermostat and housing if its corroded... maybe even look at the belt if its in so-so nick.

Any other questions, just PM me.. otherwise i might miss this thread :P