Radiator fitting / replacement

[denty]

I've finally found out that I have a major coolant leak on my Chim 400 radiator. Does anyone out there know how much a new one will cost, or have any idea on how I can change it myself?

[Big Al.]

I think you'll find there around the £250 mark!

[trefor]

Get it reconditioned - most reconditioning places will do a next day or so service if you take it in to them. Taking the rad out isn't too hard - just be very very very very careful not to scratch the inner wings (duck tape on top of masking tape on any vunerable areas).

Cost depends but I paid just over £100 and the rad was as good as new. The rad is not a standard one from another car BTW, I think it's a Range Rover one with a changed outlet pipe.

They tend to last 3-4 years max. Opinion is that they flex with the body ('tis plastic after all) and eventually split.

[wolosp]

Nick - whereabouts in Wilts are you? There's a paint / body panel / rad place in Chippenham (roughly opposite the cinema) - I understand that they'll repair it for you (so one of our 'S' owners tells me).
Cheers,
Paul

[ssc1]

had my rad rebuilt with a modern core fitted by a specialist rad builder in northampton , all for about 120 and it even keeps the temps down where they should be , and its easy to remove and refit just watch out for scratching the paint work as it gets a bit close at the top , but it does come out ok.

[k4trv]

denty said:

I've finally found out that I have a major coolant leak on my Chim 400 radiator. Does anyone out there know how much a new one will cost, or have any idea on how I can change it myself?

Arrow Radiators, Melksham & Avonmouth, £199.75 incl fitting, VAT & Antifreeze, no hassle, no scratches & no problems since.

Trev McM

[Incorrigible]

Big Al. said:

I think you'll find there around the £250 mark!

They must see you coming mate £150 new £100 re-conned

[M@H]

Incorrigible said:

Big Al. said: I think you'll find there around the £250 mark! They must see you coming mate £150 new £100 re-conned

"re-cored" surely

[mongoose]

Incorrigible said:

Big Al. said: I think you'll find there around the £250 mark! They must see you coming mate £150 new £100 re-conned

when big al replied,he was refering to NEW ones as requested .hes spot on.i had mine replaced under warranty and this is the price for a new one from tvr. theyre now all the aluminium type btw.

[Big Al.]

mongoose said:

Incorrigible said: Big Al. said: I think you'll find there around the £250 mark! They must see you coming mate £150 new £100 re-conned when big al replied,he was refering to NEW ones as requested .hes spot on.i had mine replaced under warranty and this is the price for a new one from tvr. They're now all the aluminium type btw.

OH new one going in on mine on Friday, under warranty

[TT Tim]

I had a new rad supplied and fitted by Austec just before Christmas, prices are plus VAT:

Radiator: £155
Coolant: £14.50
Radiator mount (mine was broken): £3.25
remove and replace Radiator labour: £44.50

HTH

Tim

>> Edited by TT Tim on Monday 2nd February 14:11

[Incorrigible]

mongoose said:

when big al replied,he was refering to NEW ones as requested .hes spot on.i had mine replaced under warranty and this is the price for a new one from tvr. theyre now all the aluminium type btw.

Sorry my mistake

Mine was £150 new from TVR, if you want to pay more, be my guest

[NigeW]

ahhhh Ben ... did you use the Marin Grade Silicone though??? Sorry, couldn't resist!!

[Incorrigible]

NigeW said:

ahhhh Ben ... did you use the Marin Grade Silicone though??? Sorry, couldn't resist!!

Personaly I wouldn't etc etc etc

Although ACT do do a nice line in silicon hoses

[mongoose]

Incorrigible said:

mongoose said: when big al replied,he was refering to NEW ones as requested .hes spot on.i had mine replaced under warranty and this is the price for a new one from tvr. theyre now all the aluminium type btw. Sorry my mistake Mine was £150 new from TVR, if you want to pay more, be my guest

what dealer did you use then?TMS also want £244.87 inc vat for a new one.you ought to share the source.i think ill buy a spare at that price!!

[denty]

Thanks for the advice. I've just had it dropped into be re-cored for £137 in Swindon, which is half the price I was quoted from the dealership. The next question is however, how do I fully bleed the system? Is there a bolt somewhere or other that I need to loosen off, or do I just follow the Trev manual? I don't want to have an air lock in the pump!

Help required as I'm really starting to miss driving her to work, and waking up the neighbours every morning.

[k4trv]

denty said:

Thanks for the advice. [snippity] The next question is however, how do I fully bleed the system? Is there a bolt somewhere or other that I need to loosen off, or do I just follow the Trev manual? I don't want to have an air lock in the pump! [snip]

Try the Bible (2nd edition), page 138/139. Failing that depends on whether you've a Single swirl tank or a swirl & expansion tank - updating your profile would help ??

Pre-serp have single swirl - when cold undo blue pressure cap on swirl pot - fill to top - undo bleed screw on rad - when no more air comes out tighten again - top up swirl pot to 1.5 inches from top.

Serp engine with expansion & swirl - undo cap on swirl - remove blue pressure cap on expansion tank & half fill - slacken bleed screw on rad - retigthen when no more air comes out - top up swirl to bottom of threads and replace cap.

All courtesy of Steve Heath - bless his cotton-socks - and with appreciation.

Trev McM
Wilts

[ATG]

Couple of the pipes in the core on my rad were damaged, loosing quite a bit of coolant. Had them soldered for £5. No problems since.

[denty]

What is this 'Bible' - sounds like I need to get a copy. All I've currently got is a one sheet, page 33 of the hand book! Mine's a 97 Chim 400, and yes it has the expansion pot! So it looks like your information should work! Cheers

[shpub]

www.tvrbooks.co.uk for more info...
Order it from www.tvrcc.com