Changing the Radiator

The "how to" :

First things first - I would advise this to be done from cold, as pressure builds up in the cooling system and its quite likely youl burn yourself. - Its no good going out somewhere in it, and then trying, ideally leave it overnight and work on it straight away (when your ready)

Tools needed:

• Large water drainer (up to 5liter capacity)
• 10 & 12 mm socket & ratchet
• 10mm spanner
• a metal skewer (like from BBQ sets)
• Emery cloth (light)

Start off by removing the splash panels from underneath the engine - there should be 5x 12mm screws to undo. Place the drip tray underneath the bottom hose & drain plugs location. Undo the radiator cap at the top, and drain plug, which might be tight so you might want to get some pliers on to it. Drain all of the water out, when its "trickling" out, undo the 1x 10 mm hose clamp and prise away.

Side note: With the skewer, bend it by 90degrees about  an inch from the end -  it can then be inserted between the bottom hose join on the rad, and the inside of the bottom hose which will make it easier to break the seal between the two, which makes it easier to remove the hose in the long run.

Doing this to a skewer can serisously irritate the people you live with, so remember "it went missing" .

Remove the x4 10mm nuts on the fan, and remove it carefully (may require assistance by levering it with a screw driver).

The radiator fan cover has 4x 10mm screws on it in each corner, remove these and the cover.

Remove the top hose (x1 10mm screw), finally, undo & remove the 2x 10 mm nuts holding the rad in (aka rad top mountings). With a bit of brute force, the rad should pull up out of its bottom mounting bushes.

Its worth sanding off any corrosion that is found on the hose joins to prevent leaks.

Put the new rad in place, and its reversal from there onwards, making sure that everything goes back exactly how you found it to start with.

Ideally youl be using new coolant, the old coolant should be put in a suitable container and taken to your nearest garage/ workshop, that will dispose of this for you (possibly for a small fee).