How to remove and replace radiator:

[xp_wannabe]

Hey guys, I had a look in the AFF Technical Docs but couldn't find anything specific.

Im going to be replacing my cracked radiator tomorrow in my AU2 XR6 (manual) with a new one.

I am assuming the procedure to remove the old radiator will go something like this:

1. Drop coolant and remove all hoses
2. Unbolt condensor assembly from radiator
3. Unplug wiring harness to thermo fans
4. Unbolt radiator assembly from car
5. Remove radiator and fans as one unit

Does this sound feasible? It looks easy enough to get in behind the grill to unbolt the condensor from the radiator.

I am then going to remove the thermostat, and flush the block with the engine running (with the heater on).

I will then fit the new radiator, and flush the whole system a few times again.

I was thinking I could re-attach all the hoses, except the top hose where it joins the thermo housing. I could point the top hose to the ground, put the garden hose in the thermostat housing and flush the system like this. Would this work or does it need to be done opposite?

Then I will fill with coolant and demineralised water, and drive... The radiator shop is going to pressure test for me on Monday.

Any tips or hints will be much appreciated!

Thanks, Mark

[Mr Hardware]

I'd be removing the thermo fans before removing the rad
it's really quite a simple job

[FS5]

mate ,i have an au with the standard grill and found removing that made it heaps easy to get the top to bolts for the condensor (ac thing).
actualy if you want to buy a tool thats worth its weight in gold ,go to repco or autobarn a buy a 10mm spanner with that socket stile ratchet system at the end .fits a lot of tricky areas other than the radiator /thermo's/condensor.best tool i ever bought.
its a pretty easy sort of job to do .

ps. to flush the system ,there is a bung plug on the base of the radiator to flush it.

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by xp_wannabe

Hey guys, I had a look in the AFF Technical Docs but couldn't find anything specific.

Im going to be replacing my cracked radiator tomorrow in my AU2 XR6 (manual) with a new one.

I am assuming the procedure to remove the old radiator will go something like this:

1. Drop coolant and remove all hoses
2. Unbolt condensor assembly from radiator
3. Unplug wiring harness to thermo fans
4. Unbolt radiator assembly from car
5. Remove radiator and fans as one unit

Does this sound feasible? It looks easy enough to get in behind the grill to unbolt the condensor from the radiator.

I am then going to remove the thermostat, and flush the block with the engine running (with the heater on).

I will then fit the new radiator, and flush the whole system a few times again.

I was thinking I could re-attach all the hoses, except the top hose where it joins the thermo housing. I could point the top hose to the ground, put the garden hose in the thermostat housing and flush the system like this. Would this work or does it need to be done opposite?

Then I will fill with coolant and demineralised water, and drive... The radiator shop is going to pressure test for me on Monday.

Any tips or hints will be much appreciated!

Thanks, Mark

close

1. Drop coolant and remove all hoses
2. Unplug wiring harness to thermo fans and remove fans
3. dissconect transmission cooler lines in auto
4. Unbolt condensor assembly from radiator
5. Unbolt radiator assembly from carRemove radiator

it's a good idea to give the block a good flush while the radiator is out

[Jastel]

One thing I always do is turn the bottom radiator hose clamp to face up, so you can get to it from the top rather than underneath.
Usually means removing the tray.

If it has never been removed they will have little round caps on them, just pry off to see the screw head.

[b2tf]

I'm going to tackle this on a V8 this weekend and I think I am pretty right with getting the radiator out but I am trying to find some info on the best way to flush the block while I have everything apart.

Am i right in thinking that if i drop all the coolant out of the radiator by opening the bung in the bottom of it, leaving it open, and then putting the hose into the coolant resevoir, running the hose and running the car with the heater on, that it will flush all the block and hoses? Or should I do it another way?

First time I've done this so all a bit new to me.

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I'm going to tackle this on a V8 this weekend and I think I am pretty right with getting the radiator out but I am trying to find some info on the best way to flush the block while I have everything apart.

Am i right in thinking that if i drop all the coolant out of the radiator by opening the bung in the bottom of it, leaving it open, and then putting the hose into the coolant resevoir, running the hose and running the car with the heater on, that it will flush all the block and hoses? Or should I do it another way?

First time I've done this so all a bit new to me.

Only using the drain wont flush the block thoroughly.

Either buy yourself a flush gun (uses water and compressed air) or use my washing soda technique.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by InfernoSR

Only using the drain wont flush the block thoroughly.

Either buy yourself a flush gun (uses water and compressed air) or use my washing soda technique.

You're about a week too late but I was happy with how mine came out - clean water after a few minutes and I flushed it for about 20 mins.

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by b2tf

You're about a week too late but I was happy with how mine came out - clean water after a few minutes and I flushed it for about 20 mins.

Better late than never

[jonohall]

Here's a great how to guide with photos in pdf form. Really helped me out when I did my radiator a couple of months back.

File name: ebook_-_radiator_replace.pdf File size: 1.24 MB

[Mr. JaTT]

Originally Posted by jonohall

Here's a great how to guide with photos in pdf form. Really helped me out when I did my radiator a couple of months back.

File name: ebook_-_radiator_replace.pdf File size: 1.24 MB

Hi,
this link seem to be out dated is it possible to get link to this file

Thanks
JaTT

[Travisty FTT]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

it's a good idea to give the block a good flush while the radiator is out

Sorry to hijack the thread, but whats the most recommended way to do a block flush?

[Bradleyjames]

Originally Posted by jonohall

Here's a great how to guide with photos in pdf form. Really helped me out when I did my radiator a couple of months back.

File name: ebook_-_radiator_replace.pdf File size: 1.24 MB

Sorry to bring up old stuff , but does anybody have this document and willing to share ?