Radiator Removal

[paza1]

Anyone got any tips/advice on removing the rad? I have got a leak from the crimped area of the plastic end tank on the drivers side (RHD UK) and want to fit the coolex rad.I have so far removed the under tray, the lower 2 fan housing nuts (4),the prong. bolts (3), the lower Y bracket bolts, the upper towing bracket bolts. I am trying to drop the support frame but can't. I have got the top hose still attached to rad and the bottom hose loose and draining the coolant. What should I do next?
Any help greatly appreciated
Cheers

[dapinky]

Mark,

It sounds like you have undone/removed everything that should come away - so I have only 2 thoughts......

1) There is an extra bolt or something on your car which is non-standard

2) It's just a bit 'stuck'.


If the frame wobles about a bit, then I'd just give it a firm tug downwards on either side to try and dislodge it - but if it comes free it'll land on you!

It is not unknown for the rubber grommets to become lost, leading to metal-on-metal contact and inevitable corrossion - or just for the radiator pins to 'stick' in the grommets.


Obviously, if there are extra bolts, this wont work - but it is awkward enough to get to the ones which should be there, without someone adding any!


Another thought - if it moves a bit. because the radiator can pivot on the one connected hose, it may cause it to catch on something instead of dropping vertically.

All-in-all I suspect that it's the frame not releasing from the crash structure and radiator - give it a smack with a hammer!!!

[Andy_J]

Have you un done the two bolts at the top of the radiator mounting frame, can't see them listed in your post? The bolt the top of the support frame to the back of the crash structure, the are fairly easy to access from under the bonnet, but you cant see them

[paza1]

Andy,
Not sure which ones you are referring to. I have undone the top 2 bolts for the towing eye bracket and the bottom bolts of the Y brackets.
Cheers
Mark

[epipete]

I think you are both talking about the same two bolts. Towing Eye Bracket = Radiator Mounting Frame

image.jpg (19.38 KiB) Viewed 5480 times

I also think Dave is correct: give it a good tug, it's the advice he gave me when I had the same problem as you - and it worked.

[muley]

Andy,
Not sure which ones you are referring to. I have undone the top 2 bolts for the towing eye bracket and the bottom bolts of the Y brackets.
Cheers
Mark

Yes, but have you taken off the bolts at the top?

Jim

[Andy_J]

Mark I am referring to the 2 bolts shown in the picture posted by etipete at the top between the fans labelled 'support frame to front frame fixing'

[epipete]

Ok, remove the two at the top of the support frame, the three at the bottom of the support frame/longeron, the 4 (two each) on the bottom of the fans, the two at the bottom (1 each side) of the y frames. Then pull the fans & y frames forwards off the studs. It should all drop out then!!!

Pete

[dapinky]

...... Then pull the fans & y frames forwards off the studs.......

Good point! - I forgot to mention that you need to pull the fans off the lower studs to allow it to drop out

[paza1]

Sussed it last night before reading the latest posts I had not removed the 2 support bolts in the top centre position despite the drawing being clear and having it pointed out on here. I confused them with the towing eye bolts. Live and learn, never changed a rad before. Thanks for your patience.
All the bolts are in poor shape and was wondering if Geoff or anyone else does a stainless kit?
Thanks again to all
Mark

[paza1]

Everything is loose now but the towing eye is fouling on the spoiler and preventing the support bracket and rad from coming out. Should I attempt to remove the long bolt connecting it to the support frame. Please say no as it looks a pig.
Cheers
Mark

[paza1]

It's all out undid the long bolt in the end (wasn't too bad after all). What a flakey mess. Frame solid enough for a rub down, rust treatment and paint.
Cheers guys
Mark

[paza1]

Whilst there was no coolant to worry about, I changed the heater valve with the one I got from Geoff quite some time ago. This is what I removed. Some evidence of rusting but not too bad

Cheers,
Mark

[HJ2]

Good that you got it all out!
First time it is a bitch, but now you learned a lot now

The heater valve WILL leak, even if the rust looks superficial, so good you replaced it.