Help. Radiator Removal

[Vee8]

I'm looking to remove the rad from my Chim 400 [1999] in order to re-solder the captive nut that holds the bleed screw in place. Does anyone have a step by step guide on its removal ? If so it would be gratefully received at this end.

Many thanks

[penno]

It's pretty simple to do.

Remove the bottom and top hoses obviously.
There are only two nuts on the rubber mounts that hold it in place one each side undo these.
Dissconnect the fans electrics

Its then a case of lifting it out it it has some weight in it so lifting out is easier with two.

Sometimes depending on how tight the fit it's easier to remove the air intake pipe to stop it getting damaged. This is easy too remove the airfilter and undo the nut holding the filter bracket. Then undo the pipe from the bracket and gently pull the pipe through out of the way.

It's not a difficult job less than an hour.

If you have a skilled plumber to hand then the bleed nut can be re soldered with the rad in situ. I have done it but you need to be very careful and confident and protect the bodywork fibreglass goes up like petrol. Just drain the rad down therefore no heat soak it is possible to resolder it up. if choosing this method be very careful.

[SwanJack]

Apply heavy duty tape to the sides of the engine bay to stop the brackets on the radiator from scratching the body on its way up and out. Removing the air intake makes things much easier, especially it you have the ACT kit. Which you might end up buying if the radiator bracket goes throigh the standard issue TVR 'clothes dryer' intake tube . Place lots of old carpet/rugs on the top of the engine just in case you need to rest the rad on it.

[Vee8]

Thanks chaps. I have opted to have the rad removed, then sent away to be 'properly' fixed. Yet another case of the fabled 10 min job