radiator removal

[methodwares]

Hi all,

noticed some water under the passenger front corner recently, pulled the big fiberglass tray (whatever its really called) and noticed dried blue anti-freeze on fins on both ends of the radiator. I don't think its the hose or the top plug, but i will start it up and let it warm up to see if i can see where it is really coming from.

anyways, worse case, pull it out to get repaired. a few questions...

1)is this an overly complicated job and anything i should look out for?

2) is there a drain plug so i don't just empty antifreeze onto the ground?

3)to get better access i may move the car out of the garage a bit, easy to push out but ball ache getting back in. is it ok to drive it the 10 feet or so back in without any water in the cooling system? i don't want to damage the water pump.

thanks

[Mad Mark]

Its not difficult to remove the rad.
There is no drain plug, you need to remove the bottom rad hose on the drivers side. This is the hardest part as there is not much room and the pipe may be stuck.
Then remove the top hose on passenger side. Next there are 2 bolts at top of rad and 2 'pegs' at the bottom.
Its a tight fit, and will need a bit of wiggling to get it out, cover your wing just incase.

I think i remembered everything.

Edited to add, Don't forget to unplug the fans.

Edited by Mad Mark on Sunday 10th June 10:48

[kevin63]

Also add, don't start the engine with no coolant in it.

[alinton]

kevin63 said:

Also add, don't start the engine with no coolant in it.

Starting the engine, driving 10 feet then shutting it down would do ho harm.

A.

[JensenA]

Mad Mark said:

Its not difficult to remove the rad.
There is no drain plug, you need to remove the bottom rad hose on the drivers side. This is the hardest part as there is not much room and the pipe may be stuck.
Then remove the top hose on passenger side. Next there are 2 bolts at top of rad and 2 'pegs' at the bottom.
Its a tight fit, and will need a bit of wiggling to get it out, cover your wing just incase.

I think i remembered everything.

Edited to add, Don't forget to unplug the fans.

Edited by Mad Mark on Sunday 10th June 10:48

....and remove the bonnet - bolts are accessed through the front 'mouth'

[methodwares]

Mad Mark said:

Its not difficult to remove the rad.
Next there are 2 bolts at top of rad and 2 'pegs' at the bottom.
Its a tight fit, and will need a bit of wiggling to get it out, cover your wing just incase.

I think i remembered everything.

Edited to add, Don't forget to unplug the fans.

Edited by Mad Mark on Sunday 10th June 10:48

i've seen the two bolts, so the bottom is secured by 2 pegs that the rad just slips over? so removing the bolts and hoses, etc, it should just lift out? and the fans come out with the radiator?

JensenA said:

...and remove the bonnet - bolts are accessed through the front 'mouth'

really!!! it needs to be removed? doesn't look like it. just want to be sure as i've got loads of junk in the garage that needs sorting, not sure there is room for safe storage, well i could put it on top of the poor mg midget.

[JensenA]

Definitely remove the bonnet, you'll probably struggle for hours if you don't, and then realise you have to remove it, it only takes 5 minutes to remove. You need to stand in front of the car and lift the rad out - impossible if the bonnet is in the way.

[Mad Mark]

Didn't remove mine???

[copilot]

Didn't remove mine, but would have been easier if I had. Oh if the bottom pegs look bent, don't straighten them like I did, cos it didn't fit after that and it took ages to bend them back to refit. Helps to grind a little bit off the two mounting brackets before the refit as this makes the refitting easier as it is friggin tight. Other than that, pretty quick job. Did any one mention the instructions on biker28i's website?...very useful when finding out that only one of the fans need to be removed by slightly rotating and easily lifting away.

[Byker28i]

copilot said:

Did any one mention the instructions on biker28i's website?...very useful when finding out that only one of the fans need to be removed by slightly rotating and easily lifting away.

Section N of the Workshop Manual - Cooling includes radiator removal
ftp://Anonymous:[e-mail]/parts/...

[methodwares]

thanks for all that, i'll remove the bonnet as it will be loads easier i think. hopefully i can get it out this weekend.

• * UPDATE ***

Rad is out and get worked by mac radiators; its leaking from both tanks where the core attaches. The bonnet does not need to come off, though it probably would if getting it out by yourself. I had a friend help me lift the rad out... upwards and towards the engine... pretty easy.

Edited by methodwares on Monday 18th June 11:23