Radiator removal, anyone done it yet?

[dixiebabes]

Hello lads, it's been a while. Anyone got a step by step guide for removal of the rad on a series 1 350i? Pitfalls things to look for etc etc? I know I've asked this before but im finally getting round to do it Sunday hopefully.

Dix

[colin mee]

Hello.Mr zig put a video on YouTube no long again

[dixiebabes]

Aww i missed it Colin, anyone got a link?

Dix.

[hrepo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJZq238UBoc
?

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Dix

Removing the front spoiler makes life easier, we were limited by time so I decided to remove a small piece off the bottom of the spoiler...Not ideal but then I have a plan for mine..(Note to self: Get it done)..

You can do it on axle stands but bear in mind that it will be bloody heavy as it will be full of silt...

Good luck


Ziga

[Solitude]

Not hard dix.
Get her raised and remove front valance/dam.
drop hoses, stand back as she drains.
Just a series of bolts and screws.
wear goggles for falling dust/dirt rust or water.
Replace all the hoses while you are at it.
Got mine from a Land rover workshop who let me rummage (fnar fnar) with my old ones in hand to compare.
Also had a fella weld on a threaded boss so i could screw in a modern otter switch as the original set up is laughable !
Also i set new one in place using rubber bobbins off a mini to help with vibration and movement.

Fortune favours the brave old son......get in.

Hope all good with you.

gavin

[hrepo]

Solitude said:

Also i set new one in place using rubber bobbins off a mini to help with vibration and movement.

Any chance to get any photos of the setup? Am about to do the same thing, but dunno which kinds of rubber mounts to use.

[dixiebabes]

Seen the vid now zig, I'll have moike up on drive on ramps, so there should be room (he says optomistically). Is there a way of removing it without cutting the panel off as id rather not get the grinder on it? Mini gearbox bobins sounds the way forward Gav nice thinking batman.

Dix.

Edited by dixiebabes on Friday 11th August 17:54

[dixiebabes]

P.s for the want of not sounding like an idiot i take it an otter switch is some sort of bimetalic switch for the fans or am i miles off?

Dix

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Dix


Don't chop anything off...You may need to remove the front spoiler to drop the rad out...The otter switch is as you say for the fan switch, I had mine welded up in case it ever leaked as it would mean removing the rad again, I have a manual fan switch and was going to fit a thermostat switch/faucet...As said change the hoses and clips.

Good luck

Ziga

[dixiebabes]

Cheers boyos. Wish me luck.

Dix

[adam quantrill]

mrzigazaga said:

Don't chop anything off...

Mine came out upwards and it came out a lot easier with a small rectangle chopped off the crossmember.

[mrzigazaga]

adam quantrill said:

mrzigazaga said:

Don't chop anything off...

Mine came out upwards and it came out a lot easier with a small rectangle chopped off the crossmember.

Isn't that a strengthener for the front quarter?

[Solitude]

hrepo said:

Solitude said:

Also i set new one in place using rubber bobbins off a mini to help with vibration and movement.

Any chance to get any photos of the setup? Am about to do the same thing, but dunno which kinds of rubber mounts to use.

will try to get photos.
My replacement rad was superior to the old one and had double fan set up (result)
However, mounting brackets were different, so using ally channel and angle , i fabrcated (designed) my own support mech.
It worked well....really well, and the rubber bobbins were "clever" if i say so myself..
I think you can get them at any motor factors, and just asking for mini bobbins should get you what you want.

Dix, otter switch kicks fans in mate. Really, if you have the rad out....get a screw in boss added, as its a proper set up.

Good luck 'marra'

[Grady]

Just a note for those on this side of the pond... My fan otter switch was held in by two spring fittings and one of them disappeared with predictable results. I had the radiator removed and cored and while out, had a F/M threaded fitting soldered over the hole. I had a NOS switch (90C?) from a Range Rover. Worked fine until I decided to have the fans come on sooner.

Over here, the "standard" size is 3/8" - tons of options at Summit - but the fitting I added was larger MM size. Had a heck of a time finding a replacement in the correct size with the correct pins, finally got one from Belgium. OEM for a car that never made it here. Probably not an issue in the UK. Just my 2 cents.

[KKson]

I've done it both ways. Dropped the front spoiler in the 390 and managed to squeeze the rad up in the 350i but lost a fair bit of knuckle skin. Dropping it down is definitely easier.i replaced both otter switches with a M22 soldered boss and I used the fan switch off a Griff.

[dixiebabes]

KKson you said both otter switches? I only have 1 on mine which has now been replaced with a threaded boss M22 and switch to fit. Didn't see another one on there???

Dix

[KKson]

Hi I meant both in that I had both radiators recored. There's just the one otter switch on each radiator. Cheers.

[dixiebabes]

Not too bad when i got it out but definite evidence of leaks, its been recored now and looks great. Had a M22 boss brazed on and found a switch to fit, but when i went to pick it up he said there is a rubber bung with an electrode in it which you will need to fit back in. AAARRRRGGGHHHH, can you just blank it off as its not connected to anything so its back in the shop getting done. What a mess the original otter switch is TVR should be ashamed of therselves.

Dix

Edited by dixiebabes on Tuesday 22 August 16:20

[adam quantrill]

mrzigazaga said:

adam quantrill said:

mrzigazaga said:

Don't chop anything off...

Mine came out upwards and it came out a lot easier with a small rectangle chopped off the crossmember.

Isn't that a strengthener for the front quarter?

No I mean the fibreglass - I chopped a little bit off the lip at the back.