Removing Radiator

Submitted: Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 11:08

ThreadID: 39610 Views:2192 Replies:7 FollowUps:11

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Member - Troll 81 (QLD)

Gday all

Can someone please give me some tips on removing my radiator out of the GU? I am taking it in for a service and I will save a good $80 if I remove it myself.

I also need some clarification on the 2 fans in front of the radiator what do they do?

Thanks in advance

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Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 11:33

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 11:33

Hi Troll

Best to get them to do the complete job, make sure they flush the system and refill with long life coolant. Nissan have a special on genuine hoses so get them in advance and give them to the radiator shop. Have them done too and keep the old ones as spares.

Also radiators are quite cheap and you may consider fitting a new one and know it is right for another 5 years or so.

Regards Derek.

AnswerID: 205883

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 11:56

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 11:56

Hey

I like having a go at something first so that I can learn in the process as well. The thought of a new radiator has crossed my mind do you know how much they are? I have just flushed the coolant out the other day so the coolant is brand new

FollowupID: 465832

Reply By: Luke SA - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 11:59

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 11:59

Troll

I havent removed one on a GU but it looks prety easy

The fan shroud looks like it will seperate half way down so just undo the 10mm bolts with a socket of phillips head screw driver (what evers easier) from around the outside and then you should be able to remove that
Theres just two nuts on top of the radiator suport panel that hold in the radiator with a couple of brackets and dont forget to undo the wiring before you pull it out

The two thermo fans should come on at certain engine temps mine has only one fan and I only notice it comes o when the air con is on
98 GU 4.2

hope this helps as $80 is better in your pocket than in someone elses

Cheers Luke

AnswerID: 205888

Follow Up By: Luke SA - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 12:03

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 12:03

Also if yours is auto you might want to check if theres any trans lines going to the radiator to cool the trans fluid

FollowupID: 465833

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 12:03

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 12:03

Thanks for the reply hopefully it will be pretty straight forward.

I wonder how hard it will be to wire in some sort of relay to be able to turn those fans on with a switch?

FollowupID: 465834

Follow Up By: Luke SA - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 12:13

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 12:13

Dunno about a relay but I wouldve thought you could just wire them up straight to a switch.

Im sure someone will correct me if im wrong :)

cheers and good luck

FollowupID: 465836

Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:32

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:32

Troll81,

My GU only had one fan in front, but I've added a Davies Craig 2nd fan. I unplugged the plug above the original fan (I'll explain later what that fan does on my 4.2TD; but not sure whether the other GU's are the same). I've added a cable to electrically join the 2 fans together and I can turn them on from a switch on the dash.

The fan in the GU comes on whenever you turn the airconditioner on. On the 4.2TD (I'm not sure about the petrol and /or the 3L or 2.8L), there are 2 switches in the bottom radiator tank. The one on the passenger's side triggers at a certain water temp and shuts off the air con. The one on the drivers side is set to trigger at a slightly higher temp and it turns the electric fan on (but not the air conditioner). Obviously, on mine, those switches do nothing anymore, cos I've unplugged the fan and I've also unplugged the one that makes the air con go off.

FollowupID: 465858

Reply By: Outnabout David (SA) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:20

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:20

TROLL,

I am a bit confused. You already changed the coolant and now you want to clean the radiator! you have to put in more coolant. make sure you use quality coolant and make sure when you drain it you have your heater on to get rid of the old coolant stored in the heater core. Could pay to run water for a week with a good quality radiator flush to remove crap out the block and heater before replacing with coolant. Also make bleed for air locks after the thermostat opens.

Check the price on new cores because I assume you have a cooling problem and therefore a clean and repair of radiator would be getting up around $200 anyway.

AnswerID: 205896

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:58

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:58

Hi there

No need to be confused. I did clean it out and used a good coolant when I filled it back up but I didn’t remove the radiator and I didn’t bath it with the special chemicals like the pro’s use at the shops

FollowupID: 465851

Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:34

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:34

So, when you remove the radiator, won't you lose most of your coolant again?

Also, when you flushed it, did you remove the plug at the back of the engine block?

FollowupID: 465859

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:37

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:37

Yes I will lost the coolant again but I am not to worried I will just flush it all out again when I get the radiator back.

I didn't know about the plug on the back...but I will look for it now

FollowupID: 465860

Reply By: Member - Ian W (NSW) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:28

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:28

Flush thoroughly, including the heater core, then do it again.

My mistake was a substandard flush wich meant that I then mixed two diferent cooling fluids, needless to say they were imcompatible and I wound up with a gel in the radiator tubes which promptly led to an overheating problem.

If your not totally confident in what your doing then give it to a radiator shop.

Easier, cheaper and a lot less agro in the long run.

Ian

AnswerID: 205897

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:59

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 13:59

Thanks Ian

I know for a fact that I have allot of bent fins and they will repair that as part of the service and they will also give it a new coat of paint

FollowupID: 465853

Reply By: Craigww2 - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:50

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:50

Hi,

If you want a circuit sketched up for wiring your fans up let us know and I will email you one. Or after you have your radiator done give us a call and you can drop around and I will give you a hand.

We did some nice and slow tracks after you left yesterday so you were probably lucky you left when you did.

Cheers

Craig
LC100 now with a straightish side step : P

AnswerID: 205906

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:53

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:53

Hey Craig

I might have to make use of your service :) what is your email addy?

FollowupID: 465863

Follow Up By: Craigww2 - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:56

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 14:56

Hi,

craigww2@primusonline.com.au or give us a call on 0417617599.

Cheers

Craig

FollowupID: 465864

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 15:13

Monday, Nov 20, 2006 at 15:13

to remove radiator 20 mins.
if I remember correctly.

Undo lower hose catch coolant into container remove cap let sit for 10 mins..
undo top hose
remove other hoses that clip to the cowling
undo hose from top of thing where thermostat is.
unclip lower rad cowling from under the car (4 clips).
undo the 2x 10mm nuts holding the clamps on...

lift out radiator.

AnswerID: 205909