Gonna try doing that this weekend - doing the thermostat, the two stubby soft pipes and the two hard pipes that connect to the engine block in case they are corroding.

 

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for this - mines an auto so I WONT be removing the radiator or I'll have trans fluid everywhere....

 

Ta.

You dont have to remove the radiator. You should remove the fan though.

 

Drain the water out before you start. Other wise when you take the top rad pipe off all the water will pour all over the belts. Not good.

I had to do mine when one split, they have those really anoying french clips that you have to sqeeze together and there all on wrong way round facing downwards. you'll need a pair of extra long nose pliers. they are alot easyer to put back on than removel, I found a mirror helped me too.

 

 

 

hope this helps a bit

 

 

 

Jim;)

You need a long alen key too.

Cut a piece of cardboard up to the size of yur rad and stick it on to protect it just in case !

is that the voice of experience?

LOL,

 

No I will only have a manual so I just take the rad out easy:D

Another tip, when you put it back together, dont rush, apparantly some pratt on here replaced his stat, put the metal pipes back on, then realised he hadn't put the cambelt covers back on!!!

 

 

.......Cant think who it was now!!:rolleyes:

Remembered who it was........

 

 

....oh yeah, it was me!!!!!

Another tip too while im there, when you take off the boost pipes, put a sock or a latex glove or something over the pipes that lead to the tubs and engine etc, otherwise you will spend hours fishing once you accidently drop a bolt down one!!!!

err you don't need to take the cambelt covers off!!

 

I don't think I took the boost pipes off either, can't remember to be honest!!

You could be right, I did the water pump at the time so i had to, but i think you may find that to get the stat pipe off is very difficult without taking the other one off, and likewise the other one is difficult to get to with the cambelt cocers in place and so on!!!

 

Like wise with the boost pipes, removing the fan will be tricky with them on!!!

Why you have to take the radiator out? I didnt have to and I had plently of room.

 

Stuart

Originally posted by SRRAE

Why you have to take the radiator out? I didnt have to and I had plently of room.

 

Stuart

 

I have done it with the rad out and with it in!

 

For the ten minutes it takes to remove it from harms way, it ain't worth keeping it in there!

 

 

One slip and it could cost you £100 plus :eek:

How hard do I tighten the bolts back up - just a bit over hand tight to nip them up - I dont want to over tighten them and snap the plates! I take it I use sealant on all the metal faces - what do you recommend? Hermatite do?

I suggest buying a good quality torque wrench!

Can you get small ones - I dont know how much space I'll have to work with in there with the radiator still in!

One of the best things I bought for working on cars was the top of the range socket from halfords, that will have everything you need apart from the torque wrench!