Radiator Replacement

[jcto]

Gday all,

I am after some info on replacing the radiator in my AUII Forte 4.ol Auto.

I have tried searching for a thread with some info on how to etc but cant seem to find any.

I am assuming it is a fairly straight forward job ie take out the thermos undo bottom hose and drain, undo tranny lines and undo some bolts then hey presto......are there any tricky bits ie like the original hose clamps and how to remove them or what about the tranny cooler, does it just bolt of and onto the new one etc....

Pls advise.

I have sourced a new Adrad Rad for $135.00 and since the local workshop wnted $649 to supply and fit one I thought it best to attempt it myself.

Any help would be appreciated even if someone is close to Rockingham in the know I would be willing to provide some form of reward to help with the install.

[brad`]

try talking to Blueprint by memory he either works for a place that does radiators or isnt a employee of Adrad radiators so he might be ur best bet unless someone else sends u a reply

[Jastel]

A few tricks

Not 100% sure of AU's, it has been a while since I had one but on the BA's the a/c evaporator is bolted to the radiator so just needs to be unscrewed and left in place while swapping over, go in through the grill

Also if the hose clamps are original they will have a rounded head cap on them, leftover from factory fitment, just lever this off and a bolt and screwdriver slot will be underneath.
The lower hose clamp screw points downwards from memory and needs the undertray removed to get to it. I always reverse this and point it up for next time.

Basically the rest is right, undo thermos, hoses, tranny lines and radiator.

[jcto]

Thanks guys........great tip on the clamp.......not sure about the a/c thingy but I dont think so. From what I have seen it looks straight forward......only real query now is the oil cooler on the front of the rad.

[private9]

I just did mine last weekend.

Jastel has mentioned some great tips!

Only other thing I'd remember is if you're new radiator doesn't come with the nuts for the thermos, and screw cap thingys for the air cond evaparator, remember to swap them from your old radiator. Mine came with new ones, but I forgot to put them in! Luckily, I didn't get too far!

Re the trans cooler, if it's aftermarket, it'll most likely be ziptied to the radiator. Mine was, and I just cut the clips off the zip ties from the engine side, and then left the cooler resting in place in the front bar. Make sure you buy new zip ties though for when you need to fit the cooler to the new radiator.

Also, careful getting the grille out, as sometimes the grille clips come out with the grille, and can scratch your bar.

[jcto]

thanks private9......after looking again I do believe it is the a/c evaporator and not an aftermarket oil cooler sitting in front of the rad.......I am still new to this car even though I have had it for 10months.

[mik]

one very important thing not to forget.....don`t forget to plug the thermo`s back in at the end of the job........don`t ask how i know this :(.

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by brad`

try talking to Blueprint by memory he either works for a place that does radiators or isnt a employee of Adrad radiators so he might be ur best bet unless someone else sends u a reply

Thanks for the free plug... lol

I dont work for a radiator company any more, however i consult upon cooling systems still to this day... and my parents still have their radiator shop inwhich i was trained...

I have done the radiator on my AU1 and one tricky part is the A/C cooler being attached to the radiator... other than that, all other tricks and methods have already been covered.

On a related note, in order to limit possible warranty voiding... ensure you clean the system as best as you possibly can... use the old radiator and my DIY method for flushing before the new radiator goes in...

[jcto]

thanks B/P I will take your advice on the flushing.....just re the A/C cooler, just what was tricky about it??