Radiator removal and replacement

[Phil C]

Anybody done this on an S2 / S3? How much 'fun' is it and how much money do I need to put into the swear box in advance....??


Also, looking under the bonnet - it looks like you have to have a double jointed back to actually lift the thing out.....

Hints / tips gratefully received...!!

[tvrgit]

It's not overly difficult...

put the front wheels up on a couple of small blocks, so that you can lift the bonnet vertical

drain the coolant system by taking the cap off the swirl tank and removing the bottom hose...

remove the top hose from the radiator and the bottom of the swirl tank (you don't have to do this but it makes access easier)

unbolt the two bolts in the top of the radiator

lift it out - it disengages from two grommetted pegs at the bottom of the chassis...

It really is very easy...

[GreenV8S]

Agreed, very straightforward once you've got the bonnet open far enough.

[Rower]

The worst bit is re-filling the systym afterwards , it is very prone to getting air-locks, when you are filling it make sure the engine is running and you have the heater set to on.

[spivvy]

might be good time to repaint the radiator cradle with the rad out as this gets a bit of a battering (if it needs it of course)

[tvrgit]

Rower said:

The worst bit is re-filling the systym afterwards , it is very prone to getting air-locks, when you are filling it make sure the engine is running and you have the heater set to on.

Absolutely spot on. Also the radiator has a bleed valve in the top nearside corner - crack that open a bit till water flows out then shut it and keep filling...

spivvy said:

might be good time to repaint the radiator cradle with the rad out as this gets a bit of a battering (if it needs it of course)

Good plan - that's exactly what I did!

[Phil C]

Thanks very much all. Pistonheads is a fantastic community . Really appreciate the advice - I'm going to give this a go. Sounds like the main issue is with refilling it. Will let you know how it goes......and how much goes in the swear box......

[nawarne]

Would agree with all thats been said about air locks.

I found (V8S) that filling the system, driving for half an hour then topping up, helped....also it got everything up to temp and allowed a security check on all the hose clips!!

My 'test' (for what its worth) is, if you can squeeze the top hose and hear the 'click' of the little toggle valve thingy in the thermostat as it moves in the stat base - then the system is full.

BTW, good tip regarding the vent on the top nearside of the rad'

[nicbowman]

Serck Marston did a replacement for £120. TVR want over £200.

Nic

[KentishS2]

nicbowman said:

Serck Marston did a replacement for £120. TVR want over £200. Nic

BTW - Serck rads are very good (IMHO), during all the years I fitted and have dealt with them I have never had a faulty one and they used to deliver/collect direct and give a very quick service.

A very good company to deal with.

[tvrgit]

nawarne said:

BTW, good tip regarding the vent on the top nearside of the rad'

It's actually a drain valve I think, because in the Sherpa the rad is fitted the other way up! Works as a bleed valve in the S though!

[paul d]

Can anyone tell me if the S1 has the same valve at the top nearside??
The car is still of the road at the moment but im sure there is some pesky air in there somewhere!
Thanks.
Paul.

[Colin Blues2]

My rad has the tap on it but it's jammed so of no use at all. My method of removing the air from the rad is to loosen off the clip on the top rad hose where it joins the radiator. Due to the way the radiator is angled the top pipe is angled up and air will naturally exit there before the water. Fill the swirl tank until you see coollant starting to drip out; then you know that (most of) the air is out of the radiator. Tighten up the clip and then continue filling the swirl tank.

I tend to finish off by starting up the engine and letting it run without a cap and topping up until full. Replace the cap and that should be done.

[KentishS2]

So, after you have re-filled the system with coolant, where does the pressure cap go is it on the swirl or the header tank, discuss?

[Colin Blues2]

Don't start that one again we'll be here all year.

[KentishS2]

Colin Blues2 said:

Don't start that one again we'll be here all year.

So, where's yours fitted again Colin?








Someone's gonna bite

[Pies]

KentishS2 said:

Colin Blues2 said: Don't start that one again we'll be here all year. So, where's yours fitted again Colin? Someone's gonna bite

Thats two topics tonight you've started that one

stirrer

[Pies]

tvrgit said:

The pressure cap is in a box on the top right hand shelf... the fixed cap is in a small poly bag on top of that...

Thats wrong

both mine are in the boot

[tvrgit]

Pies said:

Thats wrong both mine are in the boot

[sucksinbreath]oooh no, i tried that and it just wasn't right, must have cost me 5 degrees of thermal efficiency that... i had to get out once and move them to the glove box to get home...

>> Edited by tvrgit on Tuesday 21st December 23:05