overwhelmed- it is radiator now...

Post by **xHeart** » 07 Jul 2012, 21:38

It took me a while to gather all the tools today. For thermostat replacement i needed a T40, found a Craftsman foot long screw driver type, tried, I would need one that works with 1/4" or 3/8" driver.

Coolant drained, and WD40ed each bolt and screw overnight.

Cooling fan is out with four bolts under the shroud. Connectors were stuck, it took caution and gentle wiggling.

: cooling fan is out...; MVS_0112.jpg (457.62 KiB) Viewed 1095 times

Working on taking out hoses, learning to use tools, modifying as i go.

: hoses are coming out next...; MVS_0113.jpg (479.16 KiB) Viewed 1095 times

How much trans fluid will come out when unplugged?

Post by **xHeart** » 08 Jul 2012, 07:11

Separating condensing unit and radiator
The radiator is lightweight, it hangs with two bolts to the frame. However, the condenser is held in place by the radiator with four bolts, one at each corner. Once the four bolts are out the condenser would swing free and cause problem.

I am separating the two. The bolts are 15 threads -- short. I would unbolt the two top ones first, and loosen the two bottom, and tie the condenser through the upper bolt holes to the front section, and then take out the two lower bolts.

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Jul 2012, 07:39

Bungee cords!!!

At least you dont have the intercooler piggybacking on the radiator. That things really heavy, and it sucks even more to try to line it back up when bolting back.

Post by **xHeart** » 08 Jul 2012, 07:43

jblackburn wrote:Bungee cords!!!

Lightbulb moment! :idea:

thanks!

Post by **xHeart** » 08 Jul 2012, 18:08

All the hoses are disconnected, wires out of way. The radiator is not clearing the drives side, please see next post.

: condenser hung, radiator is sliding down gently; MVS_0115.jpg (507.63 KiB) Viewed 911 times

Post by **xHeart** » 08 Jul 2012, 18:15

Viewing from the bottom, it clears the passenger side once the wires are away...

: it dropped on passenger side...; MVS_0116.jpg (463.05 KiB) Viewed 911 times

...the drivers side need about 2" more to clear.

: up close...; MVS_0119.jpg (335.91 KiB) Viewed 911 times

Post by **xHeart** » 08 Jul 2012, 18:21

... here is how it was, installed, I am not sure how to remove the motor, left of the drain cock in the picture.

: the air pump obstructing the drop; MVS_0107.jpg (558.09 KiB) Viewed 910 times

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Jul 2012, 23:13

Is the fan assembly still behind the radiator? Removing that will give you some extra wiggle room. I can't remember if that let me slip it past the air pump more easily on the reinstall or not.

Otherwise, unbolt that pump and shove it forwards. It'll be a tight squeeze and may scrape the plastic of the pump a bit, but you can definitely work it past there - I did!

Post by **xHeart** » 09 Jul 2012, 07:11

The air pump is attached to a bracket with three nuts, rusted. It was soaked with dw40 overnight. It will remove it tonight with spare nuts in hand.

Yes, cooling fan is out. There is a lot of room to work with the condenser and radiator.

I have not been successful in taking out T40 screw off the thermostat assembly. Could I leave it for now, would it work?

Post by **Ben850** » 09 Jul 2012, 18:30

Whe I replaced my radiator(whole front header actually) after the accident, I had everything else off of the front end except the condenser. I had enough to deal with as it was without discharging the a/c system.
It was only hanging there with the red, dollar store twine you can see in the photo.
I was lucky to find a radiator from a '99 v70 for $30. in great shape at the pick and pull.

overwhelmed- it is radiator now...

Re: overwhelmed- it is radiator now...